Arsenal Stars Return from Injury to Fuel North London Derby Fire—Report
Arsenal anticipate that Riccardo Calafiori will bounce back from his injury concerns in time to participate in the north London clash versus Tottenham Hotspur this coming Sunday, according to recent reports.
Calafiori linked up with Italy's squad despite battling a hip problem—an issue that prevented him from taking part in the Azzurri's 2–0 victory against Moldova in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying action last Thursday.
With direct qualification now virtually out of reach for Italy, who are set to finish as runners-up behind Norway and enter the playoff stage, the Arsenal defender was released early to continue his rehabilitation in north London.
Calafiori's departure naturally sparked concern among Arsenal fans ahead of a demanding sequence of matches. The Gunners meet Tottenham in the derby on Nov. 23, then welcome Bayern Munich in Champions League action before traveling to face London rivals Chelsea in Premier League competition the following week.
Nevertheless, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal believe Calafiori will be "ready from next week," making it highly likely he'll play some role against Spurs.
The 23-year-old has become an essential component of Arsenal's solid defensive unit this campaign, surpassing Myles Lewis-Skelly in the hierarchy to secure the first-choice left-back position. When he's featured for the team, the Gunners have allowed only five goals this season.
Gabriel Receives Thigh Injury Diagnosis
However, there's concerning news for Arsenal regarding injuries. Another key member of their sturdy defense has fallen victim to fitness issues during the international window, with center-back Gabriel picking up a groin problem during Brazil's 2–0 triumph over Senegal on Saturday.
Gabriel, who was coincidentally competing at the Emirates Stadium, was substituted shortly past the 60-minute mark. Arsenal have subsequently received an official medical assessment from Brazil's medical staff.
"Arsenal player Gabriel Magalhães underwent further evaluation this Sunday (16) and completed imaging examinations that confirmed a muscle injury in his right thigh," Sunday's statement declared. "As a result, the player will not accompany the squad for the fixture against Tunisia in Lille. No replacement will be summoned."
Gabriel has been a constant presence for Arsenal this campaign and his potential absence against Spurs would represent a significant setback for the Gunners as they seek to preserve their position at the summit of the Premier League table.