Riccardo Calafiori Injury Update: Arsenal Defender Forced Off During Pre-Season Friendly
Arsenal’s 3-2 pre-season triumph over Newcastle United in Singapore was overshadowed by concern for Riccardo Calafiori, who limped out of action early in the second half, reigniting questions about Arsenal’s defensive stability as the new campaign approaches.
On Twitter @sirkings97715 shared a tweet for Riccardo Calafiori injury: "Calafiori fell injured without the ball and immediately left for the dressing room."
Calafiori, handed a starting berth at center-back alongside William Saliba, looked sharp in the opening stages against Newcastle’s first-choice attack. The friendly, viewed as a key tuning exercise ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League pursuits, quickly became a focal point for Gunners fans and staff when Calafiori pulled up just four minutes into the second half. Signaling immediately to the bench, the 23-year-old Italian was replaced by Jakub Kiwior, walking straight down the tunnel for assessment.
Manager Mikel Arteta was candid post-match: “Riccardo told us he felt a twinge and didn’t want to take a risk,” Arteta explained, speaking to Arsenal’s media. “Right now, we’re sending him for scans and will know more soon. Of course, we’re hoping it’s not serious, but with his history, we need to be careful.” No Italian federation officials have commented on the injury as of press time, but there is quiet concern ahead of the autumn international window.
Calafiori’s fitness worries are not new. Since his €45m move from Bologna last summer, the defender has missed 26 games for club and country—hampered by three separate knee injuries, a calf strain, and recurring muscle issues. His longest absence last season was a nearly two-month spell following a knee problem picked up while on Azzurri duty, already costing Italy his services in key UEFA qualifiers.
Despite these setbacks, Calafiori made a positive impression in his 29 appearances (all competitions), notching three goals and providing two assists in 1,497 minutes on the pitch.
For now, Arsenal have not confirmed specific timelines for Calafiori’s return, with the club’s medical team emphasizing a “wait and see” approach pending scan results. Injury management specialists routinely note the importance of full rest and bespoke rehab programs for players with repeated muscular and knee complaints—a protocol Arsenal’s staff appear intent on following.
On Twitter @Tripple____M shared a tweet for pray for Riccardo Calafiori injury:
Should Calafiori be ruled out for longer, his absence could stretch into Arsenal’s opening Premier League fixtures and potentially the first Champions League group match. In that scenario, Arteta will likely lean on Kiwior or young Myles Lewis-Skelly for cover, with the defensive rotation facing renewed scrutiny after last season’s personnel crunch. Italy manager Luciano Spalletti will also be monitoring developments, with fresh autumn qualifiers on the horizon and squad depth on the line.
This series of injuries, so early in Calafiori’s Arsenal tenure, has sparked legitimate concern among supporters and the club’s backroom team. Arteta summed up the stakes: “Availability is everything. Riccardo’s had some bad luck, but we need him fit—he can be a big player for us.” For the Gunners, the path forward will be shaped by the results of Calafiori’s scans and the ability of a patched-up back line to weather another early storm. For now, the wait for definitive news continues, as Arsenal’s defensive plans hang in the balance.
One of the user ( @HawkesAFC) shared a tweet like:
"Riccardo Calafiori, incredible footballer. but his injury record is absolutely ridiculous. He’s a fantastic footballer when fit, but we had the same convos with Tomiyasu"
