"Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has withdrawn from international duty with Italy due to injury, manager Gennaro Gattuso has confirmed. Italy, who play their final World Cup qualification match against Norway on Sunday, will be without the full-back after Gattuso said it would not be "fair" on him or Arsenal to play. "Calafiori left the training camp," Gattuso told Sky Sports Italia."
""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." Arsenal, who are top of the Premier League table with 26 points, play Tottenham Hotspur in the season's first north London derby on Nov. 23."
"Calafiori's injury will come as a blow to Arsenal, who are already without Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Victor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz. Italy need to win by nine goals or more against Norway in order to qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup. Arsenal, who are top of the Premier League table with 26 points, play Tottenham Hotspur in the season's first north London derby on Nov. 23."
Riccardo Calafiori withdrew from Italy's training camp and will miss upcoming international duty due to an injury. Gennaro Gattuso stated Calafiori had been assessed but continued issues meant participation would not be fair to the player or his club. Italy face a decisive World Cup qualifier against Norway that requires an improbable nine-goal margin to secure automatic qualification. Arsenal will be without Calafiori for forthcoming fixtures and already lack several regulars, including Martin Ødegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Victor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz. Squad selection between Gianluca Mancini and Alessandro Buongiorno is now under consideration.
Read at ESPN.com
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