Arsenal have received a timely boost as Riccardo Calafiori edges closer to an early injury return, potentially featuring against Nottingham Forest this weekend.
In some welcome positive news pertaining to injuries, Arsenal have received a boost as defender Riccardo Calafiori could return to action for the clash against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
The Italian picked up a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury during the Gunners’ 1-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League last month. Reports from back then suggested he would be out for at least two months, with a slight possibility of an earlier return.
Now, as per reports from reporter @Indykaila on X, Calafiori is set to make a quicker recovery than first expected. He was set to miss the entirety of November and return to action only next month, but it seems there has been some positive development in the Italian’s recovery timelines.
Positive @Arsenal news breaking
🚨Riccardo Calafiori is expected to be available for the game against Nottingham Forest this weekend #afc
— indykaila News (@indykaila) November 18, 2024
Riccardo Calafiori early injury return
The Gunners have been rocked with multiple injury concerns to begin their 2024/25 campaign so far. Key players Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Benjamin White, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have all had multiple spells on the sidelines with injuries.
Timber returned from his year-long absence from the squad at the start of the season and is being managed cautiously by Mikel Arteta so as not to trigger a recurrence. Meanwhile, White’s absence was a decision taken as the player underwent surgery to mitigate an issue he has been troubled with since last season. As a result, the recovery period will sideline him for up to eight weeks.
With a thinning defence line, coupled with suspensions after a worrying three red cards already in the Premier League this season, the squad could do with players returning before schedule.
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Calafiori has already become a key member of the Arsenal team. Despite being a centre back, he has been deployed on the left and has forged a decent partnership with Gabriel Martinelli already. The Italian has made 10 appearances this season, scoring one stunning goal against Manchester City as well. He will look to return to regular action soon with a busy December coming up.
