Calafiori starts first Arsenal Premier League game in over a month | OneFootball

Italy international Riccardo Calafiori starts for Arsenal in a London derby against West Ham. It will be his first appearance in the Gunners’ XI since January 4.

Italian defender Calafiori gets the nod for Arsenal in a home game against West Ham on Saturday.

The former Bologna defender will start as a left-back at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Calafiori had only started two Premier League games in 2025 prior to today’s game.

Calafiori starts first Arsenal Premier League game in over a month

epa11852594 Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal FC, in Wolverhampton, Britain, 25 January 2025. EPA-EFE/VINCE MIGNOTT

The last time he featured in the Gunners’ starting XI was on January 4 in an away 1-1 draw at Brighton.

The Italy international was ruled out for the following two matches with a muscle injury and returned to action as a substitute on January 25 when he scored the winner in a 1-0 win over Wolves.

Calafiori accumulated only 15 minutes on the pitch in the last two Premier League games against Manchester City and Leicester City, making two substitute appearances.

The versatile Italian defender has made 21 appearances with Arsenal this season, scoring twice and providing one assist.