Arteta provides positive injury update on Italy star Calafiori | OneFootball

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta is confident Riccardo Calafiori will be available for a Champions League semifinal first leg against PSG: ‘Maybe a little bit earlier…’

The Italy international has been out of action for a month after sustaining an injury with the Azzurri during the March break.

During a press conference on Friday, Arteta was asked whether the former Bologna defender would return in time for the Champions League semifinal first leg against PSG on April 29.

Arteta provides positive injury update on Italy star Calafiori

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy goes down with an injury and is checked on by Antonio Ruediger of Germany during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

“If everything goes well, I think so. Maybe a little bit earlier,” the Spaniard replied via The Athletic.

“He’s on the pitch already and doing quite a lot of stuff. We just need to take the right steps now to make sure when he’s back, he’s in a good place to perform.”

Calafiori has scored three goals and provided two assists in 26 appearances with Arsenal this season.

He’s been a semi-regular starter under Arteta, although a couple of knee injuries have slightly affected his development in North London.

Calafiori has sustained two different knee injuries in the current campaign, missing 22 games across all competitions.

The Italian defender made his senior Azzurri debut in June 2024, collecting nine international appearances, all under Luciano Spalletti.

Italy’s next game is on June 6 against Norway in the opening match of the World Cup qualifiers.