Sources close to Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori say his absence from international duty during the break was due to load management rather than a specific injury (h/t The Athletic).
The Gunners are hopeful he will be available when they take on Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal will be without Gabriel Magalhaes. He could be out of action until January after picking up an injury on international duty.
Cristhian Mosquera or Piero Hincapie will replace him in the starting XI. Calafiori is also an option as he plays at centre-back for his country and was also used there during pre-season.
Gabriel was recuperating from hamstring surgery at the time, and the Italian could replace him again.
However, Calafiori has started all 11 of Arsenal’s Premier League games at left-back and could retain his place against Spurs.
Having him available for the game will be huge, but Myles Lewis-Skelly and Hincapie can also feature at left-back and are available if needed.
Manager Mikel Arteta has enough options after Arsenal invested in defenders in the summer, and his only headache will be who to choose to play alongside William Saliba.
The Gunners have been dealt several injury blows all season, but their squad depth has kept them on track.
Having Calafiori available this weekend is a much-needed boost, and picking up all three points at the expense of Spurs will be great for their morale.
