Injury-plagued Arsenal suffer another blow as Riccardo Calafiori joins long list

Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori has suffered niggling injuries this season (Credit: Imago)

Injury-plagued Arsenal suffer another blow as Riccardo Calafiori joins long list

Stephen Awino 09:58 - 23.10.2024

Riccardo Calafiori has added to Arsenal's injury woes as the Italian was taken off with an issue in their mid-week Champions League fixture against Shakhtar.

Arsenal have suffered another injury set-back with defender Riccardo Calafiori the most recent to join the Gunners' long list of absentees adding to Mikel Arteta's headache.

The Italian defender came off in the 72nd in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Shaktar Donetsk in their mid-week Champions League clash.

The Gunners who claimed the win on the night, did so through an own-goal when a Gabriel Martinelli strike hit the post and deflected off Ukranian goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk and into the back of the net.

The score-line remained the same well into the second half until the Calafiori was replaced Myles Lewis Skelly in the 72nd minute having felt something, prompting manager Arteta to bring the defender off.

The Gunners' boss has since confirmed that the extent of the injury is unknown but bracing themselves for the worst.

"Benny (Ben White) was my decision to take him out. He had a yellow card and we ahd played enough with him and in some periods they( Shaktar) had a lot of attackers on that side and wanted to take any chance their. With Riccy (Riccardo Calafiori) it was someting different. He had to come off because he felt something. I don't know the extent of that but that is not great new," said Arteta via Hayters TV.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0WyKpgJcXs&pp=ygUMbWlrZWwgYXJ0ZXRh

The Gunners' misfortunes on the night was compounded with a penalty miss when Leandro Trossard saw his spot kick in the 77th minute saved, denying the side a two-goal caution.

Further from the night, Calafiori's injury presents a headache for the Gunners' boss who has had to make do without star man Bukayo Saka who also picked up an injury with England on international duty during the October international break.

Captain Martin Odegaard has also been missing from the side, having suffered an injury also on international duty with Norway, leaving the Gunners stretched in midfield.Add

Additionally, Arteta's charges have also have to cope with the absence of defenders Jurien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu who have both been missing from the squad with injuries.

Arsenal's next task is an uphill one in English Premier League action, hosting the league leaders Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday.

After their shock 2-0 defeat away to Bournemouth on Saturday the Gunners will be looking to bounce back and make a statement with a win.

The North London side will however be without key defender William Saliba who received suspension in the match against Bournemouth.

Arsenal currently places 3rd in the league with 17 points, 4 away from the summit, having won 5 games, drawing 2 and losing 1 in 8 matches played.

In the Champions League the Gunners place 4th with 7 points, yet to taste defeat, having won 2 matches and drawn 1.