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Latest Arsenal injury news amid Riccardo Calafiori worry before Tottenham clash

Riccardo Calafiori
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has several injury worries to deal with in his squad ahead of next Sunday's North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Riccardo Calafiori has withdrawn from the Italy squad in a worrying blow. Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele accidentally caught the Arsenal centre-back on the leg during Friday's Nations League fixture against France with Italy manager Luciano Spaletti substitutingCalafiori in the 71st minute in Paris.

In more reassuring news for the Gunners though, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Calafiori's injury is just a knock and not serious. He claims that the withdrawal was just precautionary.

The news allays fears that Calafiori could join fellow summer signing Mikel Merino on Arsenal's injury list. The midfielder, who sustained a shoulder fracture during his first training session, will have to wait for the conclusion of the October international break before making his debut.

Meanwhile, Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss out on the Tottenham clash as he continues to recover from a knee injury that has sidelined the Japanese defender since pre-season. In more positive news, Gabriel Jesus and Kieran Tierney may return.

Tierney is back in training following his recovery from a hamstring injury which prematurely ended his Euro 2024 participation with Scotland, while Jesus could finally see significant minutes with a groin strain that has limited him to just five minutes of play this season troubling him. His return looks likely post-international break.

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There was also a sigh of relief for Jurrien Timber, who has been training with the Dutch squad after being taken off for Arsenal against Brighton due to cramping, according to Arteta. Concerns had arisen over Martin Odegaard as well, but the Norwegian skipper managed to complete a full 90-minute game against Kazakhstan.

Arteta will be desperate to have more players fit within his squad ahead of the Tottenham game. The Gunners drew 1-1 at home to the Seagulls last time out with title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool both maintaining their 100 percent starts to the season.

Arsenal will also be without the suspended Declan Rice for next weekend's fixture against Ange Postecoglou's team.