Arsenal ready to cash in on Arteta favourite as tensions grow over title struggles

Suraj Radia

19 Feb 2026 16:31 GMT
5 min read

Arsenal could be ready to cut their losses with one of their big money stars after growing concerns over the player from the club’s hierarchy.

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Tensions have begun to grow at the Emirates Stadium after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Wolves which has now seen Arsenal win just two of their last seven Premier League matches.

The Gunners’ lead at the top of the table now sits at just five points, with second place Manchester City having a game in hand and the two clubs still to meet at the Etihad.

Part of Arsenal’s decline in results has come from the number of injuries they have suffered in recent months, with Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard all sidelined, although the latter two could return this weekend against Tottenham.

Another player Arsenal have missed at times this season has been Riccardo Calafiori, with the Italian having only played in 20 of his side’s 27 league matches so far.

Current ETV

Riccardo Calafiori

D (L)

Arsenal

Riccardo Calafiori

D (L)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€47.5M - €58.1M

And it has been suggested by Football Insider that Calafiori’s repeated absences could see Arsenal look to cash in on the 23-year-old if he continues to struggle with fitness for the remainder of their season.

Arsenal ‘making assessments’ over Calafiori future

Calafiori has been a crucial figure for Mikel Arteta since his €45 million move from Bologna in 2024 but the defender only played 19 league matches in his debut campaign and he has only recently returned from an injury that kept him out of action for one month.

Arsenal are determined to continue their ruthlessness with their squad in order to avoid being left short-handed in the most pivotal parts of their seasons, having finished runners up in the last three campaigns largely due to impactful injuries to key players.

© IMAGO - Riccardo Calafiori has struggled with injury during his time with Arsenal.

Former Manchester United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Arsenal were ‘making assessments’ over whether Calafiori’s problems can be managed, otherwise they could look to reluctantly cash in on the Italy international.

“If the medical team decide he is more prone to injuries, and it’s not something they can manage with playing time and stuff like that, it’s going to be a serious problem,” Brown said.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they looked to get rid of him if that was the case. Arteta wants to have players who can be available every week, he doesn’t want to gamble on their fitness because of the competitions they’re in.

“Arsenal want to compete in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup every year and for that they need a deep squad.

“If you have somebody like Calafiori who might be fit for three games and then injured for four, it’s going to be a concern no matter how good they are when they’re fit.

“Arsenal are in a good position in that they have other players who can play in that position, and that might also mean they’re more willing to let him go.”

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