Ashley Giles, England’s director of cricket, said long-term fitness of the fast bowler was the priority as he also has further treatment on his elbow
Andrew Miller30-Mar-2021Jofra Archer’s participation in this year’s IPL will be decided later this week, following a bizarre incident prior to England’s tour of India, in which he dropped a tropical fish tank in his bath and suffered a cut middle finger on his right hand.The incident occurred at Archer’s flat in Hove in January, and although the finger healed sufficiently for him to take part in both the Test and T20I legs of the tour, the England management decided it would be prudent to investigate the wound properly after he flew home ahead of last week’s ODIs to undergo treatment on a long-term elbow injury.Ashley Giles, England’s director of cricket, told the BBC’s Tuffers and Vaughan show that Archer had undergone a successful operation on Monday, and confirmed that the reports about the nature of the injury were true.”This is going to sound like an awful conspiracy and I can see what’s going happen on Twitter as soon as I say this,” Giles said. “But, yeah, he was cleaning at home. He’s got a fish tank. He dropped the fish tank, cut his hand, and he’s been in surgery today.Related
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“He’s come out of it well. It was managed through India, he was treated when he arrived and it wasn’t an open wound on that finger. It didn’t stop him playing, but given he came home for an injection on his elbow, he went to a specialist because the finger was still a bit stiff.”They’ve operated and I think they found a small fragment of glass still in attendance. It obviously healed but there was part of the fish tank still in his finger. So, it was the right thing to do. We’ve got a clear window to do it as well. We wish him the best for his recovery but it’s true, it’s not a conspiracy.”Archer, who has a £800,000 contract with Rajasthan Royals, was named MVP at the most recent tournament in November, but was already due to miss the start of this year’s event, which gets underway on April 9, because of his elbow complaint.Jofra Archer managed both an elbow and finger injury in India•BCCI
The issue, which is not believed to be directly related to the elbow fracture he sustained on last year’s tour of South Africa, caused Archer to miss the second and fourth Tests of England’s 3-1 series defeat. Though he played in all five T20Is of their subsequent 3-2 loss, he required a cortisone injection to make it through the series, and underwent another round of treatment on his return to London.”At the front of our minds is making sure that Jofra’s fit and available to do what he does best, which is bowl quick and enjoy his bowling,” Giles said. “His elbow injury certainly stopped him from doing that, and through the T20 series, that condition worsened and he couldn’t play without some form of pain relief.”You have to manage these things carefully, because it’s a bit like his finger actually, it seems like a small thing, but his middle finger on his right hand is pretty important when you’re a fast bowler.”With a busy England schedule looming, the ECB and the Royals are expected to make a swift decision over Archer’s availability for the IPL. England’s itinerary includes five Tests against India and an Ashes tour of Australia next winter, as well as the T20 World Cup in India, for which Archer will be an integral part of their plans.”We need to manage the elbow carefully,” Giles said. “We’ve got a really good medical team. We don’t know what’s going to happen yet in this next couple of months. But our priority is to get both of these things right and get him back on the field.”Clearly, with what he does, there’s a lot of energy that goes through that area,” Giles added. “We need to try and manage it as conservatively as possible, because this is a really important area of the body for Jof.”We need to look after him first and foremost, but I’m pretty confident that he’ll be fine, he’ll be back as soon as he can.”
A novela da renovação de Gabriel Pereira com o Corinthians ganha capítulos diários e teve mais um na noite desta sexta-feira, quando o empresário do jovem concedeu entrevista para o programa “Baita Amigos”, do Bandsports. Na conversa, o agente Ivan Rocha revelou ter se reunido com a diretoria do clube e avançado nas tratativas pela prorrogação do contrato que termina em breve.
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GALERIA >Veja até quando vai o contrato de cada jogador do Corinthians
GP, como é conhecido pelo seus companheiros, tem vínculo com o Timão até 31 de março de 2022 e já poderia assinar com outro clube. Além disso, a renovação com o Alvinegro está travada há algumas semanas. Apesar de o interesse de times europeus ter sido revelado durante a semana, Ivan rechaçou que esteja negociando em outras frentes e ressaltou a vontade do jogador.
-Ninguém vai ser maior do que o Corinthians. O Corinthians é muito grande. É evidente que o Gabriel despertou muito interesse em clubes do Brasil e do exterior, mas eu sempre fui parceiro do Corinthians e nunca abri negociação com ninguém. A vontade dele sempre foi jogar no Corinthians e nós estamos tentando construir uma situação de renovação – afirmou antes de completar:
-O que eu posso falar para o torcedor corintiano: estamos fazendo de tudo para que ele jogue. Ele é corintiano. O Corinthians precisa entender que nós queremos que ele fique. O Corinthians precisa entender que precisa valorizar o menino. Eu acho que a gente teve um avanço muito grande hoje.
Outro assunto abordado nos últimos dias foi o possível afastamento de Gabriel Pereira enquanto a negociação estiver emperrada. Ivan Rocha não desmentiu a informação e confirmou que algo do tipo foi discutido na reunião, porém declarou achar injusto que uma medida desse tipo seja tomada contra o jovem.
-Essa situação de ou renova ou não joga é injusta com o Gabriel. Foi colocado, sim. Fizemos de uma maneira amistosa que nós queremos e temos interesse que ele fique no Corinthians. É uma negociação que começou hoje. Precisamos alinhar todas as arestas – esclareceu.
De acordo com o agente, a reunião desta sexta-feira foi a primeira em que os números foram apresentados, mas as partes têm se falado há algum tempo sobre a renovação. No entanto, o assunto ainda deve se estender por algum tempo e alguém terá que ceder na negociação. Diferente do que outros clubes querem, ele garante que não quer fazer nada que prejudique o Corinthians.
-A nossa ideia é um contrato de três anos. Tem que alinhar multa rescisória, parceiros no negócio. Não dá para ser 100% bom para todo mundo, alguém tem que ceder. Tem clube querendo que eu jogue tudo para o alto e faça sacanagem com o Corinthians e não quero fazer isso – concluiu.
انتفض نوتينجهام فورست في وجه برايتون بالفوز 7-0 على طيور النورس، ضمن منافسات الجولة 24 من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب سيتي جراوند.
نوتينجهام فورست، خسر في الجولة الماضية بخماسية نظيفة خارج ملعبه أمام بورنموث، لينتفض في وجه برايتون ويفوز بسبعة أهداف في أكبر انتصاراته هذا الموسم.
الانتصار الـ14 لـ نوتينجهام، كان كمهرجان بملعب سيتي جراوند، وبطله الأول هو النيوزيلندي كريس وود، الذي سجل هاتريك اقتحم من خلاله ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
سجل لويس دانك مدافع برايتون الهدف الأول في مرماه عند الدقيقة 12، قبل أن يضاعف النتيجة مورجان جيبس وايت لـ نوتينجهام فورست في الدقيقة 25.
وعند الدقيقة 32، تمكن النيوزيلندي كريس وود من تسجيل الهدف الثالث، لينتهي الشوط الأول بتقدم أصحاب الأرض بثلاثية نظيفة.
دخل نوتينجهام الشوط الثاني بنفس قوته، وبعد أقل من 20 دقيقة، تمكن كريس وود من تسجيل هدفه الثاني والرابع لفريقه في الدقيقة 64، وبعد 5 دقائق ومن نقطة الجزاء، أكمل الهاتريك في شباك فيربروخن.
خرج كريس وود من الملعب، واحتضنه نونو سانتو لمشاهدة ما تبقى من المهرجان، لأن الأهداف لم تتوقف بعد خروج النيوزيلندي.
الدقيقة 89 تمكن نيكو ويليامز من استغلال خطأ دفاعي لـ برايتون في ابعاد الكرة بعدما انهارت معنويات الضيوف، وسجل الهدف السادس.
بعد دقيقة واحدة، تمكن جوتا سيلفا من تسجيل السابع، لتستمر مدرجات سيتي جراوند بالاحتفال، بل وتطالب بالهدف الثامن، عندما احتسب الحكم 9 دقائق.
توقف عداد الأهداف عند 7 فقط، ليسجل نوتينجهام فورست أكبر فوز في تاريخه منذ أبريل 1991 على تشيلسي بنفس النتيجة.
نوتينجهام فورست بهذه النتيجة عزز آماله في التأهل لدوري أبطال أوروبا الموسم المقبل، حيث يحتل المركز الثالث برصيد 47 نقطة وبفارق الأهداف عن الثاني آرسنال بنفس العدد من النقاط.
بينما برايتون، ورغم نتائجه الممتازة ضد الكبار هذا الموسم، سقط في مواجهة رجال نونو سانتو، وتوقف رصيده عند 34 نقطة في المركز التاسع. أهداف مباراة نوتينجهام فورست وبرايتون في الدوري الإنجليزي
Arsenal started the new season rather triumphantly, dispatching Wolves 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
It was Kai Havertz, a man who is turning into one of the best forwards in the league who got the club’s account underway before a fizzing effort from Bukayo Saka sealed the points.
There is much optimism about this season and rightly so considering how close Mikel Arteta’s side came last season.
In 2022/23 they were five points off Manchester City and last term they were just two. So, if the progress continues this feels like their best shot at winning the Premier League for the first time in 20 years.
They could still strengthen too. Riccardo Calafiori has signed on the dotted line and it’s thought that Mikel Merino is now at long last closing in on his move to north London.
There could also be a few departures too. Eddie Nketiah continues to be linked with a move away but two interested parties have now already strengthened their forward line. Marseille weren’t willing to meet Arsenal’s asking price so signed Elye Wahi instead while Bournemouth were also casting their eye over the forward before signing Evanilson from Porto.
There might also be a departure for Jakub Kiwior who was left out of the squad on Saturday afternoon.
What the future holds for Jakub Kiwior
The Poland international was signed rather out of the blue from Spezia for a fee of £20m during the 2023 winter window but has struggled to ever nail down a regular spot in the side.
A centre-back by trade, the impeccable form of William Saliba and Gabriel has meant he’s never had a look in that third of the pitch.
Saliba vs Gabriel in 2023/24
Consequently, he’s largely been utilised at left-back, a position he actually performed admirably in last season, favoured over Oleksandr Zinchenko at a crucial stage of the season.
The Pole started a run of six league games between February and March, impressing as Arsenal stuck six past West Ham, five past Burnley, four past Newcastle and another half a dozen past Sheffield United. During that period he assisted two goals and scored once.
That being said, the £58k-per-week defender has been bumped further down the pecking order at the start of the new campaign.
Jurrien Timber – who spent much of last season out with an ACL injury – came off the bench against Wolves to replace Zinchenko at left back and the addition of Calafiori, who plays in both of Kiwior’s positions won’t be helpful.
As such the 24-year-old wasn’t even included in the squad for the visit of Gary O’Neil’s side on Saturday. That’s hardly a shocking piece of news but it does not bode well for his involvement this season.
It wouldn’t even be too far-fetched to suggest he might not play for the club again. Indeed, he is reportedly wanted by a whole host of Italian clubs, including Inter and Juventus.
So, there is the potential for Kiwior to leave before the window is done and it wouldn’t be a great surprise if he did. Minutes will be hard to come by and Arsenal aren’t in need of his versatility anymore.
Timber’s return and Calafiori’s arrival have put the final nail in his coffin, as too has the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri.
He might not play in the same position but you sense Arsenal would get far more from including the teenager on the bench than Kiwior, as they did this weekend.
He was one of the main winners of Arsenal’s pre-season tour. Kiwior certainly was not. It’s time for him to pack his bags and head off on his merry way back to Italy.
Fewer touches than Raya: Arsenal must instantly drop 6/10 star after Wolves
Arsenal opened their account for the season with a win over Wolves.
Tottenham supporters came into the new campaign with optimism of securing a top-four berth. Signings such as Archie Gray and Dominic Solanke were exciting but we're yet to see the best of either of them.
Gray's minutes have been limited and Solanke has missed two of the first three fixtures due to injury.
Combine that injury blow with a tally of four points from a possible nine and it's a dingy old start to the season for Ange Postecoglou's side.
They only have themselves to blame for Sunday's result, though. Missed chances and defensive errors saw Newcastle United make they pay, securing a 2-1 victory at St James' Park.
Cuti Romero was caught out of position for both goals and Destiny Udogie, in his attempts to halt Jacob Murphy before he supplied Alexandre Isak for his goal, was too weak.
Though, they weren't the only ones on the away side to let the side down.
Wilson Odobert's performance in numbers
The teenager's arrival from Burnley in the final few weeks of the transfer window caught everyone off guard. This wasn't a deal that had been reported to be on the cards so it happened out of nowhere.
Tottenham were delighted to secure their man, bringing him in from Burnley for a fee of £25m. The wide player started his first match against Everton last weekend but has only shown flashes of his true capabilities so far.
He looks exciting and he looks keen to make an impact, yet the Frenchman is lacking that cutting edge to really impact games in a positive manner.
That was summed up well by Football.London's Alasdair Gold. Handing him a 5/10 match rating, the reporter noted that the Frenchman had 'plenty of threat but needs to turn that into a final pass'.
Missing a glorious opportunity to score, Odobert would go on to make just one key pass during a performance that flattered to deceive.
Odobert vs Newcastle
Minutes played
74
Touches
40
Accurate passes
20/24 (83%)
Key passes
1
Crosses
0/2
Long balls
0
Dribbles
0/2
Shots off target
2
Duels won
4/8
Lost possession
11x
Stats via Sofascore.
With plenty of players waiting in the wingers from an attacking perspective, it may not be a surprise if he's on the bench for the north London derby in two weeks.
The best replacements for Wilson Odobert
The beauty about Tottenham's options in the final third is that many of them can play in different positions on the pitch. It's a fluid frontline and that's what makes Postecoglou's options so dangerous.
Brennan Johnson – who played a crucial role in Dan Burn's own goal – should start the derby given his roaring impact on Tyneside this afternoon and there's also the possibility of Timo Werner coming into the side.
If Solanke is back fit as well then the two wide options may well be Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski instead.
That feels like the most menacing and threatening front three that Postecoglou could field. After all, he needs players capable of producing magic moments against an Arsenal defence who don't concede many goals.
They are yet to concede with 11 men on the field this season and have only shipped once during their first three matches. As such, Odobert, who is lacking a cutting edge right now, doesn't feel like he'd be the answer.
Tottenham fans would no doubt love to see him make an impact but for that clash, it's perhaps better if the Aussie boss opts for more experience.
Spurs could unleash their new Kane, Son & Dele in exciting young trio
The North London side have plenty of young talent to call upon this season
He had been with the BBL side for three seasons and would have earned another deal
ESPNcricinfo staff30-Apr-2021
Shane Bond took Sydney Thunder to the Knockout final in the recent season•Getty Images
Shane Bond has opted not to seek a new contract as head coach with Sydney Thunder at the BBL to ensure he is able to spend an extended period of time at home amid the ongoing challenges caused by Covid-19.Bond, who is currently at the IPL with Mumbai Indians, had been in the role for three seasons and the Thunder reached the expanded finals series in the last two seasons – falling in the Knockout final this summer against Brisbane Heat – but could not commit to another long stint overseas.He also said he had withdrawn from his coaching role at the Hundred in the UK later this year where he had been due to work with Southern Brave.”I loved my time with the Thunder but with so much uncertainty around travel restrictions these days and not knowing what that might look like I just didn’t want to miss another summer at home,” Bond said.”I haven’t had one there for six years and my wife Tracey has had to carry the load. I want to be there again before I get to the point where my girls get to the end of high school. My son has some important cricket coming up too and I want to be there for that.”I’ll miss the boys at the Thunder, all the people from players to management. It’s a great club to be a part of. I’ll miss everybody. That will be the hardest thing.”Bond’s decision means the Thunder are searching for a new head coach and captain for next season after Callum Ferguson was cut from the list shortly after the recent season. It also comes at a time of a wider restructuring of the BBL clubs within Cricket New South Wales with the recent scrapping of the general manager roles with the Thunder and Sydney Sixers.”Shane has done a fantastic job over the last three years, ensuring the Thunder are in a good place for whoever takes on the role,” Greg Mail, Cricket New South Wales’ head of cricket, said.”He has been critical to the emergence of some brilliant young NSW based talent over the last two years whilst also bringing the best out of some of our established local and international players.”We are a values-based organisation and although we would have loved to have seen Shane at the helm next summer, choosing to spend time with his family is a decision we respect.”
O Botafogo está de volta à Série A. A vitória sobre o Operário, na última segunda-feira, carimbou o retorno do Alvinegro à elite do futebol brasileiro na próxima temporada. O feito foi comemorado por Durcesio Mello, presidente do clube, que espera que o Glorioso não volte a viver experiências na segunda divisão novamente.
RelacionadasBotafogoCom casa cheia, Botafogo tem mais de R$ 500 mil de lucro em bilheteria na vitória sobre o OperárioBotafogo16/11/2021BotafogoCom acesso garantido, Botafogo tem 91% de chance de ser campeão da Série BBotafogo16/11/2021BotafogoTorcida joga junto, faz festa e é peça-chave para o retorno do Botafogo à Série A do BrasileirãoBotafogo16/11/2021
+ Ao L!, pais de Luís Oyama afirmam que meia quer ficar no Botafogo em 2022
– É um lugar nosso que a gente nunca mais vai sair. Estou com 66 anos e não quero mais sofrer em Série A, fazendo cálculo pra ficar. O clube está se estruturando, a gente vai encorpar mais esse elenco. Foi duro, dez meses de muito trabalho. Maior parte do mérito disso é do Freeland, montou um elenco de bom caráter, nível, envolvido com o projeto e trouxe o Enderson. Só tenho que agradecer esses caras, todos têm o seu valor. Estamos subindo com um terço do orçamento de 2015 (quando o clube esteve na Série B), pra ter noção do mérito. É difícil contratar jogadores desse nível com o nosso orçamento. Estou muito satisfeito e emocionado com esse grupo. É um dia muito feliz e vamos ser campeões – afirmou, em entrevista à “BotafogoTV”.
O mandatário tem noção que o clube precisará melhorar para encarar a Série A na próxima temporada, mas ele acredita que está traçando um caminho para percorrer isto sem drama e evitar que o Botafogo lute para não cair no retorno à elite.
– Há algum tempo eu falo que se a bola não entrar você não tem sossego para trabalhar. E ela vem entrando, subimos com três rodadas (de antecedência). Tem muita coisa vindo esse ano ainda para a estrutura do clube. Não vamos disputar no primeiro ano com o orçamento que ainda temos, mas vamos ficar lá. O clube não cai não. Futebol não é ciência exata, mas estou muito confiante que vamos subir para nunca mais descer – completou.
A montagem do elenco será um ponto importante. O clube tem vários jogadores chegando ao final de contrato em dezembro. Durcesio elogiou o ambiente, mas não sabe se poderá manter todos.
– O ambiente é tão bom que a grande maioria quer ficar. Todos os jogadores pedem para mim pra ficar, todos. Não sei se vai ser possível. É um ano mágico – vibrou o presidente.
MAIS DECLARAÇÕES DE DURCESIO MELLO
Homenagem a Manga no jogo – Aquilo foi emocionante. Uma garotada que nunca viu o Manga jogar gritou o nome dele, é o maior goleiro que já passou pelo país. É bom esse reconhecimento, temos mania de não reconhecer o ídolo. Vamos repetir isso.
Participação da torcida – A torcida está de parabéns, veio e não deixou de incentivar um minuto sequer. O time tomou gol e eles poderiam xingar, mas incentivaram o tempo todo. Mérito muito da torcida nesse acesso.
Acesso e orçamento – Bom que a gente subiu. Cada vez vai ficar mais difícil. Tem muitos clubes que estão cada vez mais estruturados como Fortaleza, Ceará, Cuiabá, Bragantino… Muito fortes. Cada vez a gente vai ver clube grande tendo dificuldade e caindo para a Série B. O orçamento é diferente. Pagamos 400 mil pro Kalou até agosto e ele nem jogou, isso tudo foi do ano passado. Nossa folha ainda tinha que descontar o Gatito, um patrimônio do grupo. Eram os dois salários mais altos do grupo.
حقق فريق بيراميدز فوزًا هامًا على منافسه المنصورة بنتيجة 3-0، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما في إطار لقاءات بطولة كأس مصر.
وأقيمت المباراة بين بيراميدز والمنصورة على أرضية استاد الدفاع الجوي، وذلك ضمن منافسات دور الـ32 من كأس مصر.
وسجل صديق أوجولا الهدف الأول لبيراميدز في الدقيقة 21 من تصويبة رائعة من تمريرة عرضية رائعة لمروان حمدي داخل منطقة الجزاء.
طالع | بالمواعيد.. مواجهات دور الـ16 من كأس مصر 2025
وأضاف يوسف أوباما الهدف الثاني لصالح بيراميدز في الدقيقة الثانية من الوقت بدل الضائع للشوط الثاني، بعد تلقيه تمريرة عرضية من كريم حافظ داخل منطقة الجزاء حولها مباشرة في المرمى.
واختتم مروان حمدي الثلاثية في الدقيقة الخامسة من الوقت بدل الضائع للمباراة، من رأسية مميزة بعد تلقيه عرضية من محمد الشيبي من ركلة ركنية. أهداف فوز بيراميدز أمام المنصورة في كأس مصر
وبهذه النتيجة تأهل فريق بيراميدز إلى دور الـ16 من كأس مصر، ليلاقي منافسه المقاولون العرب أملا في الحفاظ على اللقب المحلي.
Mikel Arteta saved Arsenal, pulled the Emirates Stadium from the gutter and resculpted it into a force unlike anything that north London has seen in two decades, or thereabouts.
Rivals might chuckle at the lack of silverware. It has been four years since Arteta's unit defeated Chelsea in the FA Cup final, before the Spaniard had even enjoyed a full term or indeed a pre-season to inculcate his teachings.
The Gunners had a mountain to climb before reclaiming their place at the forefront of the Premier League, and while the summit has not yet been scaled, with Manchester City pushing to extend their unprecedented four successive triumphs, Arteta has been his former master Pep Guardiola's central title rival across the past two years.
Having bolstered with the statements signings of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice, who arrived from West Ham United in a deal worth £105m last summer, Arsenal could afford to be more opportunistic in the market, evidenced by the decision to pounce on Raheem Sterling.
Arsenal under Mikel Arteta in the Premier League
Season
Games
Points
Position
2024/25
3
7
4
2023/24
38
89
2
2022/23
38
84
2
2021/22
38
69
5
2020/21
38
61
8
2019/20*
38
56
8
Sourced via Transfermarkt *Arteta took over in December
Signing Mikel Merino was one of the most important parts of the window, effectively replacing Granit Xhaka, but it was the deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori that could have a significant impact on the Gunners down the line.
Why Arsenal signed Riccaro Calafiori
Arsenal already have a varied set of top defenders, and though several players were shipped out across the summer months, the backline was left relatively untouched. But still, Calafiori had caught Arteta's eye.
Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori
In July, after performing as a shining light throughout Italy's difficult summer campaign, Arsenal completed a £42m move to purchase him from Bologna, where he had dazzled as the Serie A side defied expectations to secure a place in the 2024/25 Champions League.
Assertive, technically adept and tactically dynamic, Calafiori is the prototypical modern defender, showcasing his qualities for Italy during Euro 2024 and leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to claim that it was "the beginning of something special" for the rising star.
Riccardo Calafiori: Stats vs Albania
Stat
#
Minutes played
90'
Touches
117
Accurate passes
99/106 (93%)
Key passes
1
Long balls
2/4
Dribble attempts
2/2
Tackles
1
Clearances
3
Stats via Sofascore
His performance against Albania alone was enough to suggest that he has all the tools to craft a successful career on English shores, so influential and commanding in calling for the ball and dictating play from the back.
It's clear to see why. Calafiori's ball-carrying expertise and athletic merit plays right into Arteta's tactical set-up, ranking among the top 1% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 2% for shot-creating actions, the top 19% for pass completion, the top 20% for passes attempted, the top 18% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
It's no surprise that he is often placed on the left side of the defence, with his pace and ball skills making him a wonderful player for Arsenal, driving the ball forward and using his ability to stretch the lines and create overloads, which can work wonders for top ball-possessing teams that regularly face compact low blocks.
The 22-year-old is not the top dog yet though. He's enjoyed substitute appearances in both of Arsenal's recent league outings after sitting through the opening-day victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on the bench.
He's not displaced Gabriel Magalhaes in the starting lineup, with the Brazil international possibly one of Arteta's most underrated talents.
Why Gabriel Magalhaes is still key for Arsenal
Arteta signed Gabriel from French side Lille for about £23m in September 2020, joining on a long-term contract as Arteta sought to piece together a team capable of competing for Champions League qualification on an annual basis.
He's had ups and downs throughout his Premier League career, but Gabriel has been a mighty presence at the rear over the past few years, with former Arsenal right-back Lauren even saying: “There isn’t a better centre-back partnership than Gabriel and William Saliba in the Premier League."
His bond with France international Saliba has been a thing to behold, keeping 18 clean sheets in the Premier League last year as Arsenal won the Golden Glove comfortably.
It's not hard to see why he's so highly favoured. As per Sofascore, the 26-year-old completed 89% of his passes in the league last year while averaging 0.7 key passes per game and coming out on top in 66% of his ground duels.
Hailed as a "beast" by journalist Robert Lutesich, Gabriel has yet to miss a minute for Arsenal this season and proved crucial in keeping clean sheets across the first two fixtures.
He's a top, top defender, and that's evidenced through his current market value, far above that of Calafiori…
Gabriel Magalhaes' market value in 2024
Calafiori has not been in the Premier League long but there's indeed every indication that he will go from strength to strength under Arteta's leadership, especially given the balmy conditions in north London right now.
But Gabriel is no pushover, with Transfermarkt even recording that he is valued at £59m right now, a fair stretch above that of his new Italian teammate's £42m transfer fee.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's not to say that Arteta and Edu were wrong to make their move for Calafiori, who can operate across two positions and strengthens the team further as it looks to compete for silverware across four fronts, but Gabriel is quite the partner for prized possession Saliba, and he must continue to earn a berth in the starting line up, guiding Arsenal ever closer to an elusive slice of silverware.
Arsenal flop sold for £1m in 2018 is outscoring Gabriel Martinelli
The international just couldn’t make it work in North London.