Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori ‘exits Italy camp after sustaining knee injury’

Arsenal star Riccardo Calfiori sustained a knee injury that forced him to exit on Thursday night. He has now returned to Arsenal following his withdrawal from Italy’s national team camp.

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has been forced to withdraw from Italy’s national team camp after sustaining a knee injury during their Nations League quarter-final clash against Germany. The 22-year-old suffered the setback in the closing stages of the match, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Italy. Calafiori’s awkward fall while attempting to intercept a pass resulted in damage to his left knee, raising concerns about his availability for Arsenal’s crucial Champions League quarter-final showdown against Real Madrid.

Initial assessments by Italy’s medical staff suggest that Calafiori has sustained first and second-degree collateral ligament damage. While the injury is not as severe as initially feared, the defender is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks. This timeline puts him in a race against time to recover before Arsenal’s first-leg encounter with Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on April 8.

Calafiori’s absence adds to Arsenal’s growing list of injuries, with key players like Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Takehiro Tomiyasu already ruled out for the season. Manager Mikel Arteta faces a challenging task in reshuffling his squad to maintain their competitive edge in both domestic and European competitions.

The Italian defender’s injury history further complicates the situation. Calafiori has endured multiple setbacks since joining Arsenal, including a devastating knee injury during his youth career at Roma. Despite these challenges, he has emerged as a versatile option for Arteta, contributing both defensively and offensively.

As Arsenal prepares for their high-stakes clash against Real Madrid, fans and teammates alike will be hoping for a swift recovery for Calafiori. His presence on the pitch could be pivotal in the Gunners’ quest to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League.