Arsenal are making one thing clear about Riccardo Calafiori’s latest injury setback

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Arsenal won’t be best pleased with how the international break has gone for them, with Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes picking up injuries.

During Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium, Gabriel Magalhaes picked up a groin injury, which will be a big worry for the Gunners.

Last week, Calafiori returned to London with a hip issue to be assessed by the club’s medical staff ahead of a busy run of fixtures.

Arsenal face Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea over the next fortnight and cannot afford too many key injuries.

Riccardo Calafiori’s latest injury is ‘nothing too serious’

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori’s latest injury is ‘nothing too serious’ and his return to North London was just a precaution, according to James McNicholas.

Italy had already secured a top-two finish in Group I of World Cup qualifying and were therefore willing to allow the defender to leave.

Arsenal were keen for Calafiori to return to London; however, the Italian international was determined to remain with his national team. Eventually, the Gunners got their wish and he travelled back to London this week.

Speaking about the 23-year-old, McNicholas told Arsecast: “So they sort of couldn’t be anywhere other than second, is the right thing to say, which may have played in the decision to allow him to return to Arsenal.

“I mean, you know, that’s what I’ve heard, that it’s sort of load management and nothing too serious.

“But when it’s a player with that kind of injury history, you can’t help but sort of be, you know, have a nagging worry there as well.”

Arsenal expect Calafiori back this week, and he should hopefully be fully fit to face Tottenham in the North London derby on the weekend.

Mikel Arteta must make Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie call vs Tottenham

With Gabriel suffering a groin injury and set to miss the North London derby, Mikel Arteta should look to make an interesting defensive switch.

Tottenham expect Mohammed Kudus back for the weekend’s clash, and this season, the winger has completed more take-ons than any other player.

That’s why Arteta must consider swapping Calafiori to centre-back or starting Cristhian Mosquera there and bringing in Piero Hincapie to make his first Premier League start.

Calafiori has struggled with one-versus-one defending, and with him just coming back from injury, putting Hincapie up against Kudus could be a smart switch.