Calafiori makes early return to Arsenal squad ahead of north London derby

Italy have confirmed Riccardo Calafiori has left their training camp and returned to Arsenal as he recovers from a hip problem.

The defender missed the Azzurri’s 2-0 win against Moldova on Thursday after training away from the team due to his injury, and he will now miss their final World Cup qualifying match against Norway.

Calafiori has started in each of Arsenal’s 11 Premier League games so far this season, scoring once and assisting twice, while featuring in one Champions League game.

Ahead of Italy’s qualifier against Norway, head coach Gennaro Gattuso revealed that Calafiori tried to be available for the match but was not able to regain his fitness.

“Calafiori left the training camp,” Gattuso told Sky Sports Italia.

“We tried Calafiori, he had a few issues. I thank him for his commitment: he stayed here for a week, he could have played perhaps, but it wouldn’t have been fair to him or Arsenal.

“We’ll see who plays between [Gianluca] Mancini and [Alessandro] Buongiorno.”

First hobby?
First concert?
First goal?

Introducing My Firsts, with Riccardo Calafiori pic.twitter.com/Hv11Tu8mEd

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 14, 2025

Calafiori played a crucial role in a brilliant Arsenal run that saw them keep eight consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, but he has also been influential in the attacking third.

Only Viktor Gyokeres (20) has registered more shots in the Premier League for the Gunners than Calafiori (19), while only Gyokeres (4.56 xG) and Bukayo Saka (2.41 xG) have produced more expected goals in the competition than the left-back (2.21 xG).

Mikel Arteta’s side face Tottenham in their first game back from the international break on November 23, before tough fixtures against Bayern Munich and Chelsea the following week.

Arsenal are hoping to see the likes of Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli all return from injury for the north London derby.