Arteta confirms likely Calafiori absence for Arsenal-Tottenham friendly | OneFootball

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Italy international Riccardo Calafiori is likely to miss out on their upcoming friendly against North London rivals Tottenham in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Calafiori has started in both of Arsenal’s friendlies in Asia so far this summer, including in the 1-0 win over Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan last week. He then went on to play the first 45 minutes in a 3-2 win over Newcastle United in Singapore on Sunday.

The former Bologna centre-back has not participated in either of the last two Arsenal training sessions, however, amidst suggestions that he has been suffering with a flare-up in his knee.

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)

What Arteta said about Calafiori’s injury status before Arsenal-Tottenham

Arteta, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, assured that Calafiori’s injury is not a cause for major concern, but that the Tottenham friendly will be one too soon for him, and the same for teammate Gabriel Magalhaes.

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – MARCH 04: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s seventh goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between PSV and Arsenal FC at PSV Stadion on March 04, 2025 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

“We’re going to assess tonight how he is and if the medical staff are happy as well with his condition to participate in tomorrow’s match then it’s a possibility,” Arteta said in response to an initial question abot new Arsenal signing Viktor Gyokeres, via football.london.

He continued: “And with the rest, everybody’s going to be okay apart from big Gabi who is still out and Riccy (Calafiori) it’s probably going to be a bit too early for him tomorrow.”