Riccardo Calafiori and the 12 Arsenal stars set for early pre-season after World Cup blow

Riccardo Calafiori and 11 other players expected to attend Arsenal pre-season on time after World Cup blow

The pain etched onto the faces of the Italian players when they were eliminated from World Cup qualifying at the final hurdle by Bosnia and Herzegovina was palpable. For Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori, it remains a new experience, but for others, it is the third time in three attempts the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the tournament.

It means that The Gunners defender will spend his summer without the extra games that come with the World Cup. Players are given extended breaks, but will naturally return earlier for pre-season than those who are involved.

Calafiori will be far from alone, however, with potentially eleven other players who might also not be attending the competition in North America. Alongside Italy, Denmark were also eliminated at the hands of Czechia, meaning that Christian Norgaard will join his Italian teammate for early pre-season preparations.

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Estonia’s Karl Hein will not be involved and likely wouldn’t have been even if his nation had qualified, having undergone surgery only recently and ending his season prematurely - his Arsenal deal is set to expire this summer and football.london understands no decision has yet been taken on the one-year option to extend. Then comes a group of players for whom call-ups are unlikely for a variety of reasons.

One player hoping to make the World Cup but facing an uphill battle is Mikel Merino. The Spaniard has taken a step forward in his recovery from a broken foot, but being able to return for La Roja could still prove too difficult.

Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga has not been included in the Spain squad for some time. Unai Simon, Joan Garcia and his Arsenal teammate David Raya look locked in for the selection, meaning the former Chelsea man will also be returning on time.

Fabio Vieira, who is spending the season on loan with Hamburger SV, may yet return to Arsenal should the German side not make the deal permanent. He is yet to make his senior Portuguese debut, and his form in the Bundesliga has not been enough to get Roberto Martinez to consider him yet, meaning returning for pre-season remains a likely outcome unless a transfer materialises beforehand.

Another player out on loan is Reiss Nelson. football.london understands Brentford also have an option to make the deal permanent, but has faced yet more injury issues and has not looked like he will tempt the West London side into a permanent move, and therefore, he could yet return for what is the final year of his Arsenal deal.

Gabriel Jesus is unlikely to be called up for Brazil after missing out on the most recent squad. Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes are expected to go, but unless an early summer transfer emerges, Jesus too will report for pre-season on time in July.

Then there are the England youth internationals. Max Dowman, despite all the talk, is an unlikely call-up for England and after the under-19s failed to qualify for the summer’s European Championships in Wales, losing to Serbia, the 16-year-old will also rejoin his teammates in July.

Tommy Setford, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly all started for the under-21s over this break, but none are considered likely call-ups for the senior team at this stage. Lewis-Skelly has the best chance, however, so far does not look like he will get in over Nico O’Reilly, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, Dan Burn or Lewis Hall.

This completes the 12 players who are likeliest to return to Arsenal’s pre-season at the earliest point unless any are granted extended holiday or get a surprise call-up for any summer tournament.