How Calafiori played in first Arsenal start since returning from injury | OneFootball

Riccardo Calafiori played 78 minutes during his side’s 3-1 win against Brentford on the first day of 2025 before being subbed off by his manager Mikel Arteta, who was happy to welcome him ‘back’.

The Italy international had recently returned to the pitch after another injury, the third of the 2024-2025 campaign, before remaining on the bench for the full 90 minutes during the Gunners’ last game of the year.

Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal FC and Leicester FC, in London, Britain, 28 September 2024. EPA-EFE/DANIEL HAMBURY EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos, ‘live’ services or NFTs. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

Calafiori’s stats in first Arsenal start since returning from injury

However, he proved fit enough to convince Arteta to hand him his first start since coming back and stayed on the pitch until the closing minutes, when he was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly with his side 3-1 ahead.

Calafiori’s final rating for Sofascore was 7.3, as a result of a solid defensive performance that saw the former Bologna defender win five of eight aerial duels, complete two clearances and block one shot.

The 22-year-old also picked up a yellow card after 57 minutes, while his offensive contribution was limited to one key pass in 78 minutes, one accurate long ball and one completed cross.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (R) shakes hands with player Riccardo Calafiori after the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in London, Britain, 01 October 2024. Arsenal won 2-0. EPA-EFE/DANIEL HAMBURY

Asked whether his squad may be stretched with nine games scheduled for January, Arteta replied: “We don’t know, if something else happens, then would have more issues but hopefully not, hopefully people are coming back, like Riccy [Calafiori] today, he was back and other players that are there are in top form as well, we need everybody.”