Arsenal star misses training with national team after going off injured last week - Reports

Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori is reportedly a doubt for Italy's UEFA Nations League group-stage clash against Israel on Monday (Sep. 9). He was substituted prematurely in his team's 3-1 win over France in their Nations League opener on Friday (Sep. 6) due to an injury.

In the 70th minute of that match, Ousmane Dembele was sent flying by a challenge from an Italian player, and the Frenchman inadvertently crashed into Calafiori's legs. He was evidently in discomfort before being subbed off, and as per Sky Italia (via The Boot Room), was absent from the Italy team bus for Saturday's training session.

The report adds that the Rossoneri medical staff is closely monitoring Calafiori's fitness and there is a chance he could be replaced by Alessandro Buongiorno in the XI against Israel. This may come as a boost for Arsenal, who wouldn't want the player to aggravate his injury before returning to north London.

It remains to be seen if the 22-year-old is fit to make Arsenal's squad for the derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sep. 15. Signed for €45 million from Bologna this summer, he is yet to start for Mikel Arteta's side this season, with both his league appearances coming from the bench.

Calafiori's rise to the upper echelons in football has been rapid. He helped Bologna clinch UEFA Champions League qualification in his first and only season at the club and was Italy's starting centre-back at the Euros in Germany.

Calafiori started in all three of their group games but was suspended for their 2-0 last-16 loss against Switzerland. He has also featured in Arsenal's last two league games, coming on as a substitute against Brighton (1-1) and Aston Villa (2-0 win).

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"I will do everything to play"- Riccardo Calafiori when he signed for Arsenal

Riccardo Calafiori was excited after sealing a transfer to Arsenal this summer. His first words indicated that he aims to be untouchable in Mikel Arteta's XI — something fans have come to expect of him given his hype and transfer fee.

Speaking after penning a five-year deal at the Emirates, the Italian said in late July, via the club's official website:

"I came here to play so I will do everything to play and to give something to the team. I hope I can do that from the first few games. From my point of view, it’s just the start, the beginning of something bigger. I’m excited to start to play for Arsenal and to win trophies."

Calafiori will be eager to return to fitness and quickly prove his worth in an Arsenal side already stacked with quality centre-back options. Alongside the AS Roma youth academy graduate, Arteta also has Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, and Gabriel Magalhaes as centre-back options.

It must be noted that like White, Tomiyasu, and Timber, Calafiori can also play as a full-back.