ARSENAL HANDED RICARDO CALAFIORI INJURY UPDATE AMID REPEAT FEARS OF LAST SEASON'S WOE

Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori was forced off during Italy's win over France on Friday night with an injury scare - but fears have been eased by coach Luciano Spalletti.

Calafiori was one of the Gunners' major summer signings as they look to bolster that line and immediately they will have feared a similar scenario to Jurrien Timber last term. The Dutch defender failed to play 90 minutes before an opening-day injury effectively curtailed his season.

The Italian's injury looked worse on initial viewing though after a strange sequence of circumstances played out. Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni won the ball from Ousmane Dembele, but followed through and caught the French forward. Dembele went tumbling over and his flailing leg caught Calafiori in the back of the calf, with the Italian defender not even featuring in the original tackle.

The Arsenal new boy immediately hit the deck and was clearly in pain as team-mates gathered around him to check on his wellbeing. An assessment is now on the cards - but Italy believe he could play in a matter of days.

Spalletti said: "We need to assess Riccardo but with our staff, we’ve a good chance to have him back with us for the next game."

Italy's next outing comes in Israel on Monday as they feature in another Nations League contest. Calafiori may not be risked as a precautionary measure, but the injury is now expected to be an issue for Arsenal once domestic football resumes after the international break.

The Gunners do not play their first game of September until the 15th, but will still have to negotiate five matches before the month draws to a close as they operate in the Premier League, Champions League and the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal's next assignment is a north London derby, which they already know they'll be without Declan Rice for. The midfielder was controversially sent-off in the draw with Brighton and will leave a sizeable void in the middle of the pitch.

Arteta has already heaped praise on his new Italian, citing his versatility as a huge plus for the Emirates outfit. “He brings a lot of versatility because he can play in two or three different positions and especially in attack, occupy different spaces because he’s a real defender," he said.

"When you see his press and physicality, how he goes into duels, it’s unbelievable. And then obviously he’s done a lot last year, he’s a player than can improve us.”

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2024-09-07T07:14:12Z dg43tfdfdgfd