Mikel Arteta has expressed his concern regarding Riccardo Calafiori after the Arsenal star limped off during the team’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.
Calafiori, who was substituted in the 72nd minute, appeared to have sustained a right knee injury, raising worries ahead of their crucial Premier League match against Liverpool this weekend.
Following the win, Arteta stated, “He felt something. He could not continue playing. So, it is a bit of a worry.” In the post-match press conference, he further emphasized, “I don’t know the extent [yet]. But it’s not great news.”
Commentator Chris Sutton, who witnessed Calafiori’s injury unfold, echoed Arteta’s concerns. He noted, “I’m not a medical expert, but that doesn’t look good for Riccardo Calafiori. He is put off balance and slips, leading to an awkward fall. This is a real concern for Arsenal, especially with the big game at the weekend.”
Calafiori’s potential absence would be a significant setback for Arsenal, who are already missing key players such as Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard. Arteta was unable to provide clarity on Saka’s fitness, stating, “He wasn’t able to do the session in the way we wanted. He still isn’t feeling good. It wasn’t good news.” When asked about Saka’s availability for the Liverpool match, Arteta mentioned, “At the moment, I am not very helpful. Let’s see. We still have a few days.”
Currently, Arsenal sits third in the Premier League with 17 points after eight matches, while Liverpool leads the table with 21 points, closely followed by Manchester City in second place. The upcoming clash is crucial as both teams vie for top honors in the league.