Riccardo Calafiori came through the international break unscathed after being rested in Italy’s second game, as his country kept the pressure on Norway at the top of their group.
Premier League August Player of the Month nominee Riccardo Calafiori has been away with Italy over the international break, which raised understandable concerns among Arsenal fans.
Calafiori suffered an injury with Italy in the September break in 2024, then again in March 2025. Those two international appearances cost the left-back 10 games with the Gunners last season, including a north London derby, the Champions League quarter-final, and the semi-final first leg.
Fortunately, this month’s break seems to have gone by without incident. Calafiori completed the full 90 minutes in a 5-0 win over Estonia, and he was then rested on the bench in a 5-4 victory over Israel.
Italy’s defensive structure clearly didn’t benefit much from Calafiori’s absence, but Arsenal did. Calafiori has been a starter for the Gunners so far this season, and it looks as though he’ll be fit to face Nottingham Forest this weekend.
Italy did get the win anyway, which keeps the pressure on Norway at the top of Group I.
As it stands, Norway lead the group with 12 points and four games played, Italy are second with nine points and four played, and Israel have now dropped into an elimination spot with nine points and five played.
Martin Odegaard and Norway have the chance to extend their lead with a win over Moldova on Tuesday night, giving them a six-point gap to third place with three games to play.
Though only top spot is guaranteed qualification, second place at least earns you a play-off fixture and a chance to make the final tournament. So it’s all still to play for in the cases of both countries.