Arsenal are reportedly set to welcome defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu back from injury after the international break.
In October, Calafiori sustained a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury to his left knee while playing against Shakhtar in the Champions League. Meanwhile, since moving to the Emirates Stadium in 2021, Tomiyasu has been dealing with a number of injuries. Most recently, the Japanese international has been sidelined due to a knee problem he suffered in July.
After the current international break, Calafiori and Tomiyasu are expected to both be available for the Gunners, according to the Daily Mail. The duo’s return will be a very positive one for Arteta as the Gunners have been struggling for form amid a number of injuries. Ben White has also been ruled out for a lengthy period after undergoing surgery earlier this month.
Arsenal have been suffering a bit of an injury crisis in defence this season as Calafiori, White, Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Tierney have missed games through injury at least once this season. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been the only defenders in the squad to not miss games through injury.
While it may be a race for Calafiori and Tomiyasu to be fully fit to play in Arsenal’s next clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, November 23, Arteta will be hoping to see the duo at least on the bench for the game.
