Calafiori’s Arsenal return against Nottingham Forest unlikely despite Arteta’s claims

Mikel Arteta hopes some injured Arsenal players will recover for Saturday’s away game at Nottingham Forest, but it’s unlikely that Riccardo Calafiori will be part of the travelling squad.

Italy international Calafiori has missed the last six games across all competitions with Arsenal due to an unspecified muscle injury.

Arsenal coach Arteta was asked on Friday whether Calafiori or any other Arsenal player currently in the treatment room had any chance to recover for the upcoming league fixture.

“There might be, so I need to meet now with the medical staff,” Arteta replied.

“We have a training session now and see if somebody is available for the weekend.”

Based on the Spaniard’s previous claims, however, it seems unlikely that Calafiori will make the trip to Nottingham for Saturday’s Premier League match.

Speaking to the media specifically about Calafiori’s condition earlier this week, Arteta had said: “He’s progressing, but I don’t know [when he’ll return],” he said. “It might be a few weeks, but we don’t know exactly when.”

When fit, Calafiori has been a regular Arsenal starter this term, scoring one goal and providing three assists in 20 appearances across all competitions.

Calafiori has made three appearances with the Italy national team under new coach Gennaro Gattuso, but missed the last two games against Moldova and Norway in November due to a hip injury.