Riccardo Calafiori
ARSItaly
Left
May 19, 2002
23
6'2"
190 lb
LB
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Possession Builder
ArsenalNamed to bench
Calafiori (undisclosed) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against Leverkusen.
Analysis: Calafiori looked to be a no-doubt option for Wednesday after he trained, and this has come to fruition, with the defender an option from the bench. He will likely test his legs and continue to fight for time at left-back with Piero Hincapie moving forward.
Could return versus Leverkusen
Calafiori (undisclosed) is traveling with the squad for Wednesday's UCL matchup against Bayer Leverkusen, with coach Mikel Arteta mentioning that both Calafiori and Leandro Trossard "are a possibility that they are available, and we'll see tomorrow".
Analysis: Calafiori should be available Wednesday, though it remains to be seen if he'll bounce back straight into a starting role or come off the bench after resuming training in during the week. The defender, who got hurt during an FA Cup meeting with Mansfield, had previously seen limited playing time as part of a rotation with Piero Hincapie at left-back, with the Italian offering the most offensive-minded option between those two players.
Training Tuesday
Calafiori (undisclosed) was back in training Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's match against Leverkusen, according to his club.
Analysis: Calafiori was forced off the field in Saturday's FA Cup match but appears to be on the mend and ready for a quick turnaround, with the defender already back in training. This is major news for the club as they get set for a UCL knockout phase bout, earning back another left-back option. The question heading into the match is whether he is fit enough to start, with Piero Hincapie as another option.
Forced off after treatment
Calafiori (undisclosed) received treatment before being forced off in the second half of Saturday's FA Cup clash against Manfield.
Analysis: Calafiori needed treatment before being forced off in the 77th minute of Saturday's FA Cup clash with Mansfield after appearing to pick up an injury. The left-back is set to undergo further evaluation in the coming days to determine the severity of the issue, with Arsenal hoping it proves minor ahead of Wednesday's Champions League showdown with Leverkusen. If he's unable to go for that matchup, the door could open for Piero Hincapie to step into a larger role on the left side of the Gunners' back line.
Picked for bench
Calafiori (undisclosed) is on the bench for Wednesday's match against Wolves.
Analysis: Calafiori is fit, and an option after a slight injury left him out over the weekend, with the defender now an option from the bench. He will look to test his legs before returning to a starting role, likely to replace Piero Hincapie at left-back.
Set to play Wednesday
Calafiori (undisclosed) has trained and is an option for Wednesday's match against Wolves, according to manager Mikel Arteta. "He's fine, he was training with us today. He's feeling better, and hopefully he's fit for tomorrow."
Analysis: Calafiori is not going to be sidelined very long after he was dropped from the team in warmups over the weekend, with the defender avoiding any injury, and already an option. He will likely still go through some testing to decide how fit he is, not wanting to risk the defender's health. With 17 starts in 19 appearances, he will expect to return to the starting XI, although they may be cautious and start Myles Lewis-Skelly instead.
Injured during warmups
Calafiori was injured during warmups and is out for Sunday's match against Wigan Athletic.
Analysis: Calafiori had to be replaced from the starting XI Sunday, with the defender injured during warmups and dropping from the team sheet completely. The club will likely see him for further testing after the match, with little available about the situation at the moment. Myles Lewis-Skelly received the start at left-back in his place, as Bukayo Saka replaced him in the starting XI.
In starting XI Wednesday
Calafiori (strain) is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's UCL matchup versus Kairat.
Analysis: Calafiori has been surprisingly included in the initial lineup despite coming off a one-month absence, but it's unclear how much playing time he's ready for. With Myles Lewis-Skelly also featuring against Kairat, the Italian could play in a central spot, focusing on defensive duties while he's on the field.
Features in practice
Calafiori (strain) has trained Tuesday after missing the last month of action due to injury, Simon Collings of The Sun reports.
Analysis: Calafiori might still need more time to be ready to start, but his comeback could be close in upcoming weeks. He should eventually be a solid alternative to Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie at left-back. Prior to the issue, Calafiori racked up 24 shots, 23 crosses, 45 clearances, one goal and three assists in 19 appearances across all competitions.
Another match out
Calafiori (strain) is out for Sunday's match against Manchester United.
Analysis: Calafiori will extend his absence for yet another match, missing an eighth straight game due to a strain. A return for the defender is still up in the air, with no clear return date, having two chances to play this week, facing Kairat on Wednesday and Leeds on Saturday.
Uncertain for Sunday
Calafiori (strain) is uncertain for Sunday's game against Manchester United, manager Mikel Arteta told media during Friday's pre-match press conference. "We still have another training session," Arteta said at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, "so we'll see tomorrow, after that, to assess everybody and make a decision, first of all in the squad."
Analysis: Calafiori has yet to play in 2026 due to a muscular strain, but it seems he has a chance of returning to the squad if everything goes well in Saturday's training session. If healthy, Calafiori should contend for a starting role on the left side of the defense. Myles Lewis-Skelly has been playing at left-back in the meantime.
Still needs a few more weeks
Calafiori is set to miss a few more weeks as he recovers from a muscle injury, according to manager Mikel Arteta. "It's a muscle injury. He's progressing, but we don't know. I think it will matter for a few weeks probably, but we don't know exactly when."
Analysis: Calafiori has been out two weeks and will continue his absence, as the defender is still a few weeks away. He's dealing with a muscle strain, and the club is taking his return cautiously to avoid aggravating the injury. With a return date still up in the air, the soonest it appears he could return would be late January, leaving more time for Myles Lewis-Skelly since Piero Hincapie is also dealing with a new injury suffered while playing at left-back.
Still not ready to return
Calafiori (undisclosed) won't be an option for Sunday's Carabao Cup game against Portsmouth, coach Mikel Arteta said in the press conference. "I don't think so. I think that game is going to be too early for him."
Analysis: Calafiori missed the last four games due to an undisclosed injury and will miss a fifth game in a row since Sunday's Carabao Cup game against Portsmouth is coming too early for him. The Italian will hope to be back available for next Saturday's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest since he was a regular starter at left-back for the Gunners prior to his injury. Until then, Piero Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly are the main options to replace him in the defense.
Remains unavailable
Calafiori (undisclosed) is not an option for Thursday's match against Liverpool, according to manager Mikel Arteta. "No, they are out again. I think [they could be back] pretty soon, they have to go to the last stage of the rehab, and if everything goes well, hopefully very soon they will be available for selection."
Analysis: Calafiori is going to sit out another match as he awaits his return to play from an undisclosed injury, with the defender set to miss a fourth straight game due to the injuries. This will leave the likes of Piero Hincapie or Myles Lewis-Skelly to see the start at left-back, as the club continue without their regular. He is nearing the final stages of his recovery, with a return to play potentially coming in their next league match against Nottingham Forest on Jan. 17.
Not playing against Bournemouth
Calafiori (undisclosed) is out for Saturday's clash against Bournemouth, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed Friday.
Analysis: Calafiori picked up his current issue during warmups prior to a Dec. 27 matchup versus Brighton. However, little is known about the injury, and he's now set to miss a third successive game. With the Gunners' main left-back still unavailable, Piero Hincapie might be deployed in that position again to take advantage of his defensive strength.
Suffers injury in warmups
Calafiori suffered an undisclosed injury during wamups before Saturday's game against Brighton and won't be available.
Analysis: The Italian defender was expected to start at left-back, but now he's been ruled out altogether from this match. This means Myles Lewis-Skelly will get the nod as his replacement.
Clears suspension
Calafiori is no longer suspended and is an option moving forward for the club.
Analysis: Calafiori has served his suspension due to yellow cards accumulation in the Premier League and is set to return in the next contest. The left-back has been a regular starter in the defense for the Gunners this season and should claim back that role against Everton on Saturday.
Suspended one game
Calafiori will serve one-match ban due to an accumulation of five yellow cards in the Premier League.
Analysis: Calafiori accumulated five yellow cards in the Premier League and will be suspended for the clash against Wolves on Saturday. His absence will impact the starting squad since he has been a regular starter at left-back for the Gunners, with Myles Lewis-Skelly as the most likely option to replace him on Saturday. Calafiori will be back available for the clash against Everton on Dec. 20.
Assist off bench
Calafiori assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Wednesday's 3-1 victory versus Bayern Munich.
Analysis: Calafiori made his cross to assist on Arsenal's second goal almost immediately after coming on, providing the true definition of an impact substitute. He's likely going to see more playing time on Sunday against Chelsea and will be counted on to deliver more sparks if Arsenal want to break through a defense which has only allowed 11 goals this season.
Starting Sunday
Calafiori (hip) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Tottenham.
Analysis: Calafiori was a late call for Sunday's match, but after training Saturday, he has been deemed fit enough to earn a starting role immediately. This is a spot he should continue in, only missing three starts all season when an option and their regular at left-back.
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