Arsenal have an injury concern with the departure of summer acquisition Riccardo Calafiori from the Italy team.
Calafiori started Italy’s notable 3-1 victory against France in the Nations League on Friday night, but was compelled to go in the second half due to an injury. The defender, who transferred to Arsenal for £42 million from Bologna in July, sustained an ankle injury due to an atypical clash with Ousmane Dembele.
The Arsenal player seemed to be in some distress and limped off in the 71st minute in Paris. Italy manager Luciano Spaletti originally alleviated concerns of a severe injury to Calafiori by stating: “We must evaluate Riccardo, but with our personnel, we have a strong likelihood of having him available for the next match.”
Calafiori has been excluded from Italy’s next Nations League match against Israel in Budapest on Monday. The Italian Football Federation confirmed on Sunday that the 22-year-old has been sent home for recovery and will not participate further in the ongoing international break. Italian media indicates that he has incurred a bruised calf.
Arsenal supporters could find optimism in Calafiori’s Instagram message to his 1 million followers on Saturday, wherein he omitted any reference to his injury, stating merely: “What a performance, what a night!”
Calafiori has been gradually integrated into play by Mikel Arteta this season, appearing as a substitute in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory against Aston Villa and 1-1 draw with Brighton in the Premier League. He was contracted to serve as a backup at centre-back and left-back, and Arsenal will anticipate that there will not be a recurrence of last summer’s defensive acquisition.
Jurrien Timber transferred from Ajax last summer with considerable acclaim but sustained a severe ACL injury in August. The Dutchman was compelled to have surgery for a significant knee issue and thus missed the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
Arteta expressed his satisfaction in acquiring Calafiori during the summer and elucidated his contributions to the team last month. The Arsenal manager stated, “He possesses considerable versatility, as he can perform in two or three distinct positions, particularly in attack, and effectively occupy various spaces due to his strong defensive capabilities.”
“His pressing and physicality, as well as his approach to duels, are remarkable.” He has made significant contributions over the past year and is a player who can enhance our team.
Arsenal will resume Premier League play against Tottenham in the North London Derby on Sunday, 15 September. They presently occupy the fourth position in the Premier League standings following the commencement of the season with two victories and one tie.
The defensive quartet has stayed unchanged from the previous season, including Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, and William Saliba as constants, but Oleksandr Zinchenko has had competition from Timber for the left-back position. The inclusion of Calafiori in the team may be essential as the season progresses, with rotation being vital for maintaining performance.
