Italian international Riccardo Calafiori might not be in Arsenal’s starting lineup for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid. Manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly considering the defensive stability offered by Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.
Calafiori recently returned to action after a month-long absence, playing the full 90 minutes in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Fulham last weekend. Despite looking sharp in that game, Standard.co.uk suggests that Arteta might prioritize the perceived added security of Mosquera and Hincapie for the high-stakes encounter with Atletico Madrid.
The first leg of the semi-final, held in Madrid, concluded in a 1-1 draw. Calafiori, who is eligible to play, has contributed one goal and three assists in 32 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions this season. He is currently in his second season at the Emirates Stadium, with his contract set to expire in June 2029.