Riccardo Calafiori injury details revealed ahead of key Arsenal fixtures
Arsenal are bracing themselves for worrying news on the status of Riccardo Calafiori(Credits: Spada/LaPresse/Shutterstock) Riccardo Calafiori reported that his knee ‘felt strange’ after he sustained what looked to be a worrying looking injury playing for Italy last night. The Arsenal defender slipped awkwardly while attempting to change direction in stoppage time of the Azzurri’s 2-1 Nations League play-off defeat against Germany. Calafiori appeared to catch his left foot on the San Siro turf and effectively performed the splits before he collapsed to the ground in pain. The 22-year-old received treatment on the pitch from Italy’s medical team and although he was able to leave the pitch without the aid of a stretcher, he was moving extremely gingerly. ‘He said that his knee feels strange, but cannot answer more precisely than that, so we’ll have to see,’ explained coach Luciano Spalletti in his press conference. Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. As he left the stadium last night, the former Bologna player was asked about his condition but he was unable to shed any major light on the situation, briefly saying ‘I still don’t know.’ Italy play the return leg against Germany in Dortmund on Sunday evening but are almost certain to be without Calafiori who is likely to return to his club for further assessments. Riccardo Calafiori went down in stoppage time (Credits: Spada/LaPresse/Shutterstock) Riccardo Calafiori was able to leave the pitch without the aid of a stretcher (Credits: Reuters) According to Corriere dello Sport, Calafiori has suffered a first to second degree strain of the collateral ligament in his knee, which means that he is expected to miss around two to three weeks of action. Losing a player of Calafiori’s versatility at this point of the season would represent a significant blow for Mikel Arteta, not to mention the player himself. Calafiori has endeared himself to the Arsenal faithful during his first campaign with the club which has already been interrupted by several injury setbacks. Arsenal's next five fixtures Arsenal vs Fulham, April 1Everton vs Arsenal, April 5Arsenal vs Real Madrid, April 8Arsenal vs Brentford, April 12Real Madrid vs Arsenal, April 16 The Italian’s buccaneering, adventurous style has been of particular use in recent weeks given Arsenal’s lack of attacking options and his potential absence will only serve to heighten the burden on teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly. Called up to the senior England squad last week, the 18-year-old will, if Calafiori’s injury is as serious as it appears, will be tasked with the prospect of marking Vinicius Jnr when Arsenal face Real Madrid in the Champions League next month. Arteta is, at least, blessed with several other alternatives at left-back given Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney remain on the books, while Jakub Kiwior represents an emergency option as well.
Riccardo Calafiori reported that his knee ‘felt strange’ after he sustained what looked to be a worrying looking injury playing for Italy last night.
The Arsenal defender slipped awkwardly while attempting to change direction in stoppage time of the Azzurri’s 2-1 Nations League play-off defeat against Germany.
Calafiori appeared to catch his left foot on the San Siro turf and effectively performed the splits before he collapsed to the ground in pain.
The 22-year-old received treatment on the pitch from Italy’s medical team and although he was able to leave the pitch without the aid of a stretcher, he was moving extremely gingerly.
‘He said that his knee feels strange, but cannot answer more precisely than that, so we’ll have to see,’ explained coach Luciano Spalletti in his press conference.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
As he left the stadium last night, the former Bologna player was asked about his condition but he was unable to shed any major light on the situation, briefly saying ‘I still don’t know.’
Italy play the return leg against Germany in Dortmund on Sunday evening but are almost certain to be without Calafiori who is likely to return to his club for further assessments.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Calafiori has suffered a first to second degree strain of the collateral ligament in his knee, which means that he is expected to miss around two to three weeks of action.
Losing a player of Calafiori’s versatility at this point of the season would represent a significant blow for Mikel Arteta, not to mention the player himself.
Calafiori has endeared himself to the Arsenal faithful during his first campaign with the club which has already been interrupted by several injury setbacks.
Arsenal's next five fixtures
Arsenal vs Fulham, April 1
Everton vs Arsenal, April 5
Arsenal vs Real Madrid, April 8
Arsenal vs Brentford, April 12
Real Madrid vs Arsenal, April 16
The Italian’s buccaneering, adventurous style has been of particular use in recent weeks given Arsenal’s lack of attacking options and his potential absence will only serve to heighten the burden on teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Called up to the senior England squad last week, the 18-year-old will, if Calafiori’s injury is as serious as it appears, will be tasked with the prospect of marking Vinicius Jnr when Arsenal face Real Madrid in the Champions League next month.
Arteta is, at least, blessed with several other alternatives at left-back given Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney remain on the books, while Jakub Kiwior represents an emergency option as well.
