Arsenal welcomes back Calafiori and Nwaneri
Arsenal has been bolstered by the returns of defender Riccardo Calafiori and midfielder Ethan Nwaneri ahead of its UEFA Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb.
Arsenal has won four of its six European matches so far this term, also playing out a goalless draw at Atalanta and losing 1-0 to 2022-2023 runner-up Inter Milan.
Mikel Arteta's team has been beset by injuries in recent weeks, with Bukayo Saka sidelined for more than two months with a hamstring issue and William Saliba sustaining a muscle problem during last week's win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal has endured a tough start to 2025, only winning one of its first five games of the year across all competitions, but Arteta can welcome back Calafiori and Nwaneri this week.
"It's very positive news. We missed them for a few weeks, and they returned today for training," Arteta said of the duo.
"They will be available for the game. Saliba is feeling much better, but this game comes a little bit too early for him."
Nwaneri has scored five goals in 18 games in his breakout season. Italy international Calafiori, meanwhile, has struggled for fitness since joining from Bologna.
Arteta warned Arsenal's upcoming opponent Dinamo, which sits 24th on the UEFA Champions League table with eight points from six games, will present a difficult challenge as it battles for a play-off spot.
"They have some individuals that catch your eye. We are in a strong position, and now it's time to capitalise at home," Arteta said, with Arsenal hoping to skip the knockout-round play-offs by finishing in the top eight.
"With the schedule that we had for the last three months, you can have a break and reset a little bit, work on things and rest some people.
"After the work that we have done for many months, we need a strong performance against a really good side, and we'll try to do that. So far we have done really well."
After hosting Dinamo, Arteta's side will travel to Spain to face Girona in its final group-stage game next week.