Italy medical staff provide update on Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori 

Italy's medical staff have confirmed that Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori's injury isn't as bad as first thought. After starting his country's 3-1 win over France in the UEFA Nations League on Friday, September 6, the 22-year-old was subbed off in the 70th minute due to injury.

While the Gunners would have been sweating over Calafiori's availability for the north London derby after the international break, they will be delighted to hear the latest from the Italian camp.

Claiming that the former Bologna man could return for the next international fixture against Israel on Monday, September 9, Italy manager Luciano Spalletti said (via Fabrizio Romano):

"We need to assess Riccardo with our staff, we've a good chance to have him back with us for the next game."

While Calafiori has featured in two out of three Premier League matches this season, he's started none. Currently, Netherlands international Jurrien Timber is ahead of him as far as a starting slot in the left-back position is concerned.

Hence, the Gunners could choose to rest the left-footed Calafiori if it comes to it. Moreover, Mikel Arteta has several options in that position, with Oleksandr Zinchenko also more than capable of doing a job in that role.

What Arsenal could miss is Calafiori's versatility, with the Italian also capable of playing as a central defender. Should Gabriel or William Saliba suffer an injury during the north Londoners' next league match, they may be short of options.

Arsenal travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the north London derby on September 15.

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Jurrien Timber says he's happy to play at left-back for Arsenal

Jurrien Timber

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, who is seemingly Mikel Arteta's first-choice left-back at the moment, says he's happy to be playing there. The Dutch defender is primarily a centre-back, who has also played on the right-hand side.

However, he's been entrusted with an inverted left-back role that sees him dropping into midfield when the Gunners are on the ball. When asked about this, he told De Telegraaf (via Metro):

"The center of defense at Arsenal sits with Saliba and Gabriel. Where I play doesn't matter to me as long as I'm playing. I can do well there (left-back) and the national coach can also put me there."

Timber signed for the Gunners from Ajax in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of £38 million. However, the 23-year-old missed most of the previous campaign after suffering an ACL injury on the opening day.