Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has had to cut short his time with the Italian national team this week after suffering a leg injury in the UEFA Nations League.
Riccardo Calafiori Returns to Arsenal for Injury Assessment
Defender Handed Premature End to Nations League Spell With Italy
Fabrizio Romano confirmed Calafiori’s return to Arsenal with Gunners medical staff set to “assess” the severity of the 22-year-old’s injury, which he suffered in his side’s 3-1 victory over France in the Nations League on Friday.
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Calafiori was taken off midway through the second half of the game against Les Bleus after Ousmane Dembele took a tumble following a challenge from Alessandro Bastoni, causing the Frenchman’s flailing boot to catch the back of Calafiori’s leg.
Riccardo Calafiori injury vs France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/ptdb1qdBu3
— 𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐊 (@Maleekback) September 7, 2024
Romano revealed that it should not be serious, and is likely just a knock. However, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal did not want to take any risks, so Italy are now forced to prepare for their match against Israel tomorrow without their versatile youngster.
What Riccardo Calafiori’s Absence Could Mean for Arsenal
Gunners fans will hope their “marquee signing” from Bologna – who has played just 42 minutes of football so far for his new club – won’t be out for too long, especially given the club’s upcoming fixtures.
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Next Sunday sees Arsenal face Tottenham, before Arteta’s side travel to Italy to face Atalanta in their Champions League opener on Thursday. Three days later, they face what many will regard as the season’s toughest test as they make the trip to Manchester City.
If Arsenal ever needed a run of games to have a fully fit squad for, this is it. Positive news about Calafiori’s injury cannot come soon enough for everyone involved at the North London club.
