Mikel Arteta is losing patience because of reports that he is becoming unsatisfied with the management of Arsenal by Italy national team coach Gennaro Gattuso. The Spaniard has been getting accusations of threatening the former AC Milan hardman, Gattuso. He believes the latter is making fitness concerns in Riccardo Calafiori and Samuele Ricci worse. He is doing this by subjecting them to grueling training sessions in the face of a worrying injury crisis that has already sidelined some of the club’s key players. Close sources of the Emirates talk of strained phone calls at home. Arteta is losing patience because he expects him to be more careful before engaging in club activities.
The treatment room has ruined Arsenal 2025/26 campaign which has been a title charge. The 42 million summer acquisition of Calafiori, who is out of the past four of the previous six games due to an ongoing hamstring injury sustained during the Nations league qualifiers in Italy. The 23-year-old left-back, heralded as the heir to Tierney in Italy at Arsenal. He has charmed during his first season with the club but is currently fighting the fatigue. Also, the 24 year old Ricci who was acquired by Torino at PS25 million performs even worse: a knee tweak in September has reduced him to only cameo roles, his box to box energy stifled with the infamous high intensity sessions of Gattuso.
Gattuso’s Tough Love Under Fire
Gattuso, appointed Italy boss in a shock 2024 move post-Spalletti, prides himself on “warrior” ethos—double sessions, relentless sprints, and no quarter given. But Arteta, ever the tactician, views it as reckless. “We’re building a dynasty, not breaking bodies,” one insider quotes the Arsenal chief, echoing past gripes with international overload. Italy’s recent 2-1 win over Ukraine masked the toll: Calafiori subbed off limping. Moreover, Ricci stretchered after a late tackle. The Azzurri’s medical staff reportedly waved concerns aside, prioritizing results over recovery.
This isn’t isolated. The injury list of Arsenal Saka (ankle), Timber (hamstring) already puts pressure on the depth of the squad, with Arteta alternating between 28 different players in 15 matches. According to FIFA whispers of workload limits, club physicians have raised the red flag of cumulative stress at national team camps.
The Path to Resolution?
Arteta’s no stranger to advocacy; he also boycotted Spain’s Euro 2024 call-ups for similar reasons. Now, with Arsenal atop the Premier League on 26 points, he eyes diplomacy—or escalation. A proposed joint fitness protocol with Italy could soothe tensions, but Gattuso’s retort? “Football’s not a spa.” As the international break ends, all eyes on Ricci and Calafiori’s return. For Arteta, it’s simple: protect the present to claim the future. One slip, and the title dream crumbles.
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