Arsenal sweating over Riccardo Calafiori injury as Italy offer update
Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori has been released from the Italy squad ahead of their next Nations League match after picking up a painful knock in the win over France
Arsenal have been handed an injury worry after summer signing Riccardo Calafiori was released from the Italy squad.
Calafiori started Italy’s impressive 3-1 win over France in the Nations League on Friday night, but was forced off in the second half with an injury. The defender, who joined Arsenal in a £42million move from Bologna in July, was caught on the ankle by Ousmane Dembele in an unusual collision.
The Arsenal star appeared to be in a great deal of pain and hobbled off in the 71st minute in Paris. Italy boss Luciano Spaletti initially allayed fears over a serious injury for Calafiori by saying: “We need to assess Riccardo but with our staff, we’ve a good chance to have him back with us for the next game.”
But Calafiori has now been ruled out of Italy’s next Nations League game against Israel in Budapest on Monday. The Italian Football Federation announced on Sunday that the 22-year-old had been sent home to recover and would play no further part in the current international break. Italian media reports that he has sustained a bruised calf.
Arsenal fans may be encouraged by Calafiori’s post to his 1 million followers on Instagram on Saturday, in which he made no mention of his injury, writing simply: “What a performance,what a night!”
Calafiori has been eased into action by Mikel Arteta so far this season, coming off the bench in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa and 1-1 draw with Brighton in the Premier League. He was signed to provide cover at centre-back and left-back – and Arsenal will hope there isn’t a repeat of last summer’s defensive addition.
Jurrien Timber joined from Ajax last summer amid much fanfare but suffered a devastating ACL injury in August. The Dutchman was forced to undergo surgery on the serious knee problem and missed the rest of the 2023/24 campaign.
Arteta was delighted to land Calafiori in the summer and explained what he offers the side last month. “He brings a lot of versatility because he can play in two or three different positions and especially in attack, occupy different spaces because he’s a real defender,” the Arsenal manager said.
“When you see his press and physicality, how he goes into duels, it’s unbelievable. And then obviously he’s done a lot last year, he’s a player than can improve us.”
Arsenal are back in Premier League action against Tottenham in the North London Derby on Sunday, September 15. They currently sit fourth in the Premier League table after opening the season with two wins and a draw.
The back four has remained consistent with last season, with Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba ever-presents, while Oleksandr Zinchenko has faced competition from Timber at left-back. But the addition of Calafiori to the squad could be crucial as the season wears on, with rotation key to sustaining form.
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