Riccardo Calafiori trained with the rest of the Arsenal team today and is expected to be available for tomorrow’s Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen, providing good news for the Italy national team as well.
Italy defender Calafiori took part in Arsenal’s training session on Tuesday on the eve of an away Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.
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Calafiori returns to Arsenal training after injury
Several sources, including Football London, report that the ex-Bologna defender was spotted on the pitch on Tuesday during the final Gunners’ training session before their trip to Germany.
Calafiori was forced to be substituted during the second half of Arsenal’s FA Cup 5th Round match against Mansfield Town over the weekend.
Mikel Arteta said the Italian had “little niggles” and wasn’t “comfortable continuing.”
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 28: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Arsenal FC and FC Kairat Almaty at Arsenal Stadium on January 28, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Calafiori’s recovery comes as good news for Italy national team as well. In barely two weeks, in fact, the Azzurri will face Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal in Bergamo.
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The match will be played on March 26, while the potential Final will be against the winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta will possibly provide a more in-depth fitness update during a pre-match press conference later today.
