Arteta reveals ‘one of biggest things’ Calafiori must achieve at Arsenal in 2025-26 | OneFootball

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta says Riccardo Calafiori has a ‘big season’ ahead, but one of the ‘biggest things he has to achieve’ is availability.

The Gunners are preparing to face Milan in a pre-season friendly in Singapore on July 23.

Arteta and Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri have already held pre-match press conferences, and the Gunners’ boss also spoke about Italy international Calafiori.

Arteta: Calafiori has a ‘big season’ ahead

epa11852594 Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal FC, in Wolverhampton, Britain, 25 January 2025. EPA-EFE/VINCE MIGNOTT

“It’s a big season for him. He looks very, very excited. We know that one of the biggest things we have to achieve this season is availability,” Arteta said via Football London.

“It’s true that the two main injuries that he had were on international duty while he was playing with Italy. But these things can happen.

“Now we want a player who is consistently available and performing at the level that he can because he brings an energy and predictability to the team that we really are going to need. He was certainly missed for a big part of last season. Hopefully, that second season with more understanding and a little bit more luck, which I think he will miss as well, we can see a great version of him.”

Calafiori injury issues with Arsenal in 2024-25

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy goes down with an injury during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Calafiori joined Arsenal from Bologna in a deal close to €50m in 2024. He scored three goals and provided two assists in 29 appearances across all competitions with the Gunners.

Calafiori missed 23 matches at a club level due to injuries and was not involved in the latest Italy games against Norway and Moldova in June due to a knee issue.

The former Bologna and Roma defender is under contract with Arsenal until June 2029.

The 23-year-old made his senior Italy debut under Luciano Spalletti in June 2024 and has collected nine appearances with the Azzurri.