Italy talent Calafiori injured in warm-up for Arsenal

Italy international Riccardo Calafiori was all set to make his comeback from the start in Arsenal’s FA Cup game against Wigan, only to suffer a new injury in the warm-up.

The defender has struggled badly with fitness issues since making the transfer to London from Bologna at a cost of €50m including add-ons in July 2024.

A muscular problem saw him ruled out for over a month in December and January.

Calafiori cannot seem to find fitness at Arsenal

He had been named in the starting XI for today’s FA Cup match against Wigan Athletic, but Calafiori pulled out in the warm-up and was replaced by Bukayo Saka.

This is the second time he pulled out in the warm-up, doing the same against Brighton in December.

His injuries have also been damaging for Italy, as he missed the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Norway in November.

Now he has to be a major doubt for next month’s World Cup play-offs with Northern Ireland, and either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The defender has 24 competitive appearances for Arsenal this season, contributing a goal and three assists from left-back.