Mikel Arteta is currently facing a difficult situation at Arsenal as injuries continue to accumulate within his team. The latest worry is Riccardo Calafiori, who sustained a knee injury during Arsenal’s recent Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.
If the injury is severe, Calafiori could join an already lengthy list of absentees, disrupting the team’s momentum.
Arsenal has been managing without key players such as Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. Odegaard has been out for several weeks, while Saka, who suffered an injury during international duty with England, has also been unavailable.
Both players were greatly missed during the weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, which hurt Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes.
This loss has left Arteta’s team four points behind league leaders Liverpool, increasing the pressure ahead of their critical match against the Merseyside club.
The upcoming game against Liverpool is vital, as a victory for Jürgen Klopp’s side would extend their lead at the top to seven points, complicating Arsenal’s title challenge.
The Gunners aim to recover at the Emirates, but Calafiori’s potential absence adds another challenge for Arteta’s tactical plans.
The Italian defender had to leave the field during the match against Shakhtar Donetsk after twisting his knee in a challenge.
Arsenal expert Charles Watts noted that Calafiori fell after a shoulder-to-shoulder collision and was substituted for young player Myles Lewis-Skelly.
This injury comes at a particularly bad time for Arsenal, as Calafiori has become an increasingly vital part of the defense, starting in the last four Premier League matches and appearing in nine games this season.
The possible loss of Calafiori is especially troubling in light of William Saliba’s absence, as he will miss the Liverpool match after being sent off against Bournemouth. Saliba’s red card represents another major blow to Arsenal’s defense, and losing two key defenders at this critical juncture could favor Liverpool.
With both Calafiori and Saliba missing, Arsenal’s defense will be significantly weakened, providing Liverpool with a boost in confidence as they travel to North London.
The Reds will look to exploit Arsenal’s vulnerable defense to further solidify their lead in the standings.
Arsenal fans will be anxiously awaiting updates on Calafiori’s status in the days ahead. The severity of his injury remains uncertain, but supporters hope it’s not serious enough to sideline him for long.
With important matches approaching, including the showdown against Liverpool, the Gunners will need as many key players as possible fit to sustain their Premier League title challenge.