Mikel Arteta is currently managing a challenging situation at Arsenal as injuries continue to mount within his squad. The latest concern is for Riccardo Calafiori, who suffered a knee injury during Arsenal’s recent Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.
If the injury proves serious, Calafiori could be the latest addition to an already long list of absentees that has disrupted the team’s momentum.
Arsenal have already been playing without key players like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. Odegaard has been sidelined for several weeks, and Saka, who picked up a knock during international duty with England, has also been unavailable.
Both players were sorely missed during the weekend’s 2-0 loss to Bournemouth, a result that dealt a blow to Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions.
The defeat has left Arteta’s side four points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, adding more pressure ahead of their crucial match against the Merseyside club.
This upcoming fixture against Liverpool is critical, as a win for Jürgen Klopp’s team would stretch their lead at the top of the table to seven points, making Arsenal’s task of staying in the title race much more difficult.
The Gunners will be looking to bounce back at the Emirates, but the potential absence of Calafiori adds another layer of difficulty to Arteta’s tactical planning
The Italian defender was forced to leave the pitch during Arsenal’s clash with Shakhtar Donetsk after twisting his knee in a challenge with an opposing player.
According to Arsenal expert Charles Watts, Calafiori went down after a shoulder-to-shoulder collision and was subsequently substituted, with youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly taking his place on the field.
This injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Arsenal, as Calafiori had become an increasingly important figure in the team’s defense, starting in the last four Premier League games and featuring in nine matches overall this season.
The potential loss of Calafiori is particularly concerning when combined with the absence of William Saliba, who will miss the Liverpool game after being sent off against Bournemouth. Saliba’s red card was another significant setback for Arsenal’s defense, and losing two key members of the backline at such a crucial moment could tilt the balance in Liverpool’s favor.
Without both Calafiori and Saliba, Arsenal’s defense will be notably weakened, giving Liverpool a major boost in confidence as they head to North London.
The Reds will be looking to take advantage of Arsenal’s vulnerable defense to further strengthen their lead at the top of the table.
Arsenal fans will now anxiously wait for updates on Calafiori’s condition in the coming days. The severity of his injury is still unclear, but supporters of the North London club will be hoping that it is not a serious issue that keeps him out for long.
With crucial matches on the horizon, including the clash against Liverpool, the Gunners will need as many of their key players as possible fit and available to maintain their challenge for the Premier League title.
