Football
Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori returns to training ahead of Champions League semi-final
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Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori is back in training ahead of the club’s Champions League semi-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain.
Riccardo Calafiori injury update: Italian targeting Champions League return
Calafiori hasn’t featured since suffering a knee injury on international duty for Italy last month but the 22-year-old is back working on the training pitch as he builds up to a return.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said “if everything goes well” the defender could make his comeback in the Champions League semi-final first leg against PSG on April 29 but an earlier appearance hasn’t been ruled out.
“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 won’t make the Premier League clash with Ipswich Town on April 20 but it seems there’s a possibility he could feature in the matchday squad against Crystal Palace on April 23.
The full-back took to Instagram on Sunday to confirm his recovery progress, assuring Gooners he’s just around the corner.
📲 Riccardo Calafiori on Instagram: “Soon 😁” ⏳ pic.twitter.com/RwnmZMJrSA
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) April 20, 2025
Calafiori ed Arsenal last summer in a £42 million deal from Bologna after impressing in Serie A and on the international stage for Italy at Euro 2024.
In 26 games this season, the youngster has recorded three goals and two assists – primarily featuring as a left-back with the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Kieran Tierney filling in during his absence.
Riccardo Calafiori injury history 2024-25
- Calf problems – September 7-18, 2024 (11 days, two games)
- Knee injury – October 22-November 21, 2024 (31 days, eight games)
- Knee injury – December 3-17, 2024 (15 days, four games)
- Muscle injury – January 11-21, 2025 (11 days, three games)
- Knee injury – March 21-present (nine games and counting)
Calafiori has endured his fair share of injuries so far this season, missing 26 games for club and country to date.
Three separate incidents have been related to his knee which looks to be a recurring problem and could lead to club doctors taking a closer look in the summer.