Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that defender Riccardo Calafiori is yet to train ahead of the highly anticipated north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on October 29, 2023. Calafiori, who has been a key player this season, withdrawing from national duty after traveling with the Italy squad earlier this month due to an unspecified issue.
Arteta explained that Calafiori has been “carrying a few things” and expressed hope that the player could participate in the upcoming training session. He stated, “He hasn’t trained yet. Tomorrow we have another session and we’ll see how he is.” Calafiori has started all 11 of Arsenal’s Premier League matches this season, making his fitness crucial for the team’s performance.
In addition to Calafiori, Arsenal is grappling with potential absences of five other first-team players, including Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyokeres, all struggling with various injuries. Notably, defender Gabriel will be sidelined for several weeks due to a thigh injury sustained while representing Brazil during the international break.
Arteta remained cautiously optimistic about the return of his injured players, stating, “I am at least the same level of optimism, but it’s the final stage.” He emphasized the importance of assessing players’ readiness as they recover from injuries: “Now is when they have contact around them, when they have to push into very unpredictable things that they haven’t done.”
The Arsenal squad has faced a challenging season, recording a total of 12 injuries, which ranks fifth in the Premier League. Players like Odegaard and William Saliba have experienced multiple injuries, highlighting the demanding nature of the football schedule. Arteta commented on the situation, noting, “Injuries are part of football. The demands players have in the way the schedule is more than ever, and that’s going to bring more injuries.”
On a positive note, Gabriel Jesus has returned to full training after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in January. Arteta shared that Jesus has been fully involved for the past two weeks and will begin participating in internal matches to prepare for his return to first-team action.
This weekend’s match against Tottenham marks the beginning of a critical period for Arsenal, as they will face Bayern Munich and Chelsea in the following weeks. The team is set to play 14 matches within an eight-week span, placing additional pressure on their squad depth and fitness as they aim to maintain a competitive edge in the league.