Arteta confirms Calafiori return after third different injury lay-off | OneFootball

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Italy international Riccardo Calafiori is back to full fitness and will be part of the matchday squad when The Gunners take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

The former Bologna centre-back has missed the last three Premier League matches as well as individual matches in the Champions League and EFL Cup through an unspecified injury.

He will, however, be back in action when Arsenal face Crystal Palace away from home on Saturday, kicking off at 17.30 GMT.

Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Leicester FC, in London, Britain, 28 September 2024. EPA-EFE/DANIEL HAMBURY EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, ‘live’ services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Arteta confirms Calafiori return for Crystal Palace

“They are both available to be in the squad,” Arteta said during his pre-match press conference when asked about the fitness of Calafiori and his teammate Declan Rice.

The 22-year-old has not been without his injury troubles since moving to North London for €50m in the summer.

He has now picked up three different minor injuries since the start of the 2024-25 campaign: A calf problem in September, a knee issue in late October and early November, and the most recent injury, which has kept him out of five matches.