Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori is set to miss several more weeks through injury, adding to Mikel Arteta’s growing selection concerns as the Gunners push for the Premier League title.

Arsenal’s injury problems have followed them into the New Year, with defender Riccardo Calafiori remaining sidelined and now facing a delayed return to action.

The Italy international missed Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 Premier League victory over Bournemouth and is not expected to return immediately, according to updates from the club.

Calafiori sustained the injury during the warm-up ahead of Arsenal’s December 27 clash with Brighton, an issue that manager Mikel Arteta later described as “very awkward,” confirming the defender was not fit enough to feature.

While Arsenal have not officially confirmed a precise comeback date, there are rumours that Calafiori is likely to be out for a few more weeks, with a mid-January return tentatively seen as the most realistic scenario if his recovery progresses smoothly.

The defender has been an important part of Arteta’s squad this season, providing valuable flexibility across the back line with his ability to operate both at left-back and in central defence.

Calafiori’s absence compounds Arsenal’s defensive concerns, with summer signing Cristhian Mosquera also unavailable after suffering a complicated ankle injury during the 2-0 win over Brentford in early December.

Mosquera is expected to remain sidelined until at least mid-January, potentially returning around the away trip to Nottingham Forest, while both defenders were joined on the injury list by midfielder Max Dowman for the Bournemouth match.