Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed concern over Riccardo Calafiori’s knee injury during their 1-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk, raising doubts about the defender’s availability for Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Liverpool.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed concern over an injury to defender Riccardo Calafiori during their 1-0 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. The Italian full-back, who joined the Gunners from Bologna in a summer transfer deal , was forced off in the second half after twisting his right knee.
Arteta acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating, “He felt something, he could not continue playing. It is a bit of a worry.” Calafiori’s potential absence adds to Arsenal’s growing injury list, which already includes key players such as Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and defender Jurrien Timber.
The Gunners, currently third in the Premier League, face a crucial match on Sunday against league leaders Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. Calafiori had been a key player for Arsenal in recent matches, starting at left-back against Shakhtar, where he completed 42 passes and contributed significantly to the team’s defensive structure.
Arteta’s immediate replacement for Calafiori during the Shakhtar match was youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, but with Oleksandr Zinchenko available on the bench, the Ukrainian seems a likely candidate to fill in on Sunday if needed.
Former Chelsea forward Chris Sutton commented on Calafiori’s importance to the team, stating on BBC Radio 5 Live, “Calafiori will be a massive loss at the weekend. He’s been brilliant since he came to Arsenal. He can play in a midfield role and has the awareness for that.”
The match against Liverpool comes at a critical point in Arsenal’s season, as they navigate a hectic schedule of seven games in just 23 days, compounded by many players recently returning from international duty. Arsenal will be looking to improve after a shock 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League, followed by a somewhat subdued performance against Shakhtar.
Despite the mounting pressure, Arteta remains confident in his squad. “We played two and a half days ago, with guys coming from internationals after flying from Brazil and many countries. I was expecting that we could drop off a little bit. Now we have four days, and believe me on Sunday we will be flying,” he said.
Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson noted the importance of consistency, especially as Arsenal contend with injuries. “David Raya and his defence stayed really solid, but eventually, that’s going to wear thin. Arsenal will need to step it up to keep pace with Liverpool and Manchester City.”
As Arsenal prepares for the top-of-the-table clash, the fitness of key players like Calafiori could be decisive in their pursuit of Premier League glory.
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