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Arsenal’s summer signing Riccardo Calafiori has suffered an injury while representing Italy in their 3-1 Nations League victory over France, raising concerns for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the crucial North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Injury Incident
Calafiori, who has had a solid start to his Italy career, was involved in a bizarre injury incident in the 70th minute of the match. After Ousmane Dembele was tackled by Alessandro Bastoni, Dembele collided with Calafiori, striking the Italian’s calf and ankle. The 22-year-old defender was forced to leave the field, with medics attending to him on the pitch.
Calafiori was substituted and replaced by Alessandro Buongiorno as Italy went on to seal the victory. Despite the initial worry surrounding the injury, Italy coach Luciano Spalletti moved quickly to reassure fans.
“We need to assess Riccardo, but with our staff, we have a good chance to have him back with us for the next game,” Spalletti told reporters.
Impact on Arsenal
The injury could not have come at a worse time for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s squad is already stretched thin with key players missing due to injuries and suspensions. Declan Rice will miss the North London derby due to suspension, while Mikel Merino is out with an injury sustained during training.
The potential absence of Calafiori adds to Arteta’s defensive concerns, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, and Kieran Tierney also doubtful for the Tottenham clash. This could leave Arsenal lacking depth in key positions as they navigate a busy September schedule that includes Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup fixtures.
What’s Next for Arsenal and Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal will eagerly await the results of Calafiori’s medical tests to determine the severity of the injury. If the Italian defender recovers quickly, he could still feature for Italy in their next Nations League match against Israel.
However, Arteta will be cautious, as losing another key player would be a major blow to Arsenal’s push to challenge for the Premier League title this season.
With the North London derby looming, Arteta hopes that his latest summer signing will be available to contribute to the Gunners’ campaign during a crucial period.
