Calafiori returns to Arsenal from Italy camp
Italy has confirmed Riccardo Calafiori has left its training camp and returned to Arsenal as he recovers from a hip problem.
The defender missed the Azzurri's 2-0 win against Moldova after training away from the team because of his injury, and he will now miss their final FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Norway.
Calafiori has started in each of Arsenal's 11 Premier League games so far this season, scoring once and assisting twice, while featuring in one UEFA Champions League game.
Ahead of Italy's qualifier against Norway, head coach Gennaro Gattuso revealed that Calafiori tried to be available for the match but was not able to regain his fitness.
"Calafiori left the training camp," Gattuso said.
"We tried Calafiori, he had a few issues. I thank him for his commitment: he stayed here for a week, he could have played perhaps, but it wouldn't have been fair to him or Arsenal.
"We'll see who plays between [Gianluca] Mancini and [Alessandro] Buongiorno."
Calafiori played a crucial role in a brilliant Arsenal run that saw it keep eight consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, but he has also been influential in the attacking third.
Mikel Arteta's side faces Tottenham Hotspur in its first game back after the international widwo on 24 November, before tough fixtures against Bayern Munich and Chelsea the next week.
Arsenal is hoping to see the likes of Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli all return from injury for the north London derby.
