Arsenal have been dealt a significant blow with the news that Riccardo Calafiori has been forced to withdraw from Italy’s squad due to a calf injury. The 22-year-old defender, who joined Arsenal from Bologna for £42 million this summer, was injured during Italy’s 3-1 Nations League victory against France on Friday evening.
Calafiori, who had been playing well on the left flank of Italy’s defence, was replaced in the 71st minute after suffering an injury. Italy’s Football Association confirmed on Sunday that Calafiori has left the squad and returned to Arsenal for further assessment.
This injury concern comes at a crucial time for Arsenal, who are preparing for the highly anticipated north London derby against Tottenham next Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s squad depth is being put to the test, with crucial players like Declan Rice already suspended due to his red card against Brighton and Mikel Merino out with a shoulder injury.
Calafiori’s injury, although initially feared to be serious, has been described as a knock, and early reports suggest it may not be as severe as first thought. This will be a relief for Arteta, who is already managing a squad with several key absences.
Despite the injury, Calafiori’s performance against France showcased his potential and why Arsenal invested heavily in him. During his time on the pitch, he was composed in possession, regularly carried the ball into midfield areas, and was dominant in defense. His stats from the match included 63 accurate passes with a 94% accuracy rate, four clearances, and three successful long ball attempts.
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