Mikel Arteta says Arsenal need to assess Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White today but it sounds like both are doubts for tomorrow’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
After coming on as a substitute against Manchester City, White has sat out the wins over Bolton and Leicester, reportedly with a knee issue. Calafiori is also said to be struggling with a knee problem sustained in the closing stages of Saturday’s win at the Emirates.
The Italy international, 22, appeared to be in discomfort after winning a header in the 100th minute and was later photographed wearing a support on the joint as he left the stadium. Unconfirmed reports claimed the player was left in tears in the dressing room.
Arteta was reticent to give too many details when he was initially asked for a team news update.
“No big news, we have to review a few players. Especially returning [players], nothing to give back,” he said.
Asked about White and Calafiori specifically, he then added: “Those are the two players in contention, we have to review today. We didn’t do any training session yesterday, obviously he [Calafiori] was a bit emotional after the game, let’s see how it is today.”
Given his impact in the last 10 days, Calafiori and the club will be hoping his knee issue isn’t serious.
Subbed on during the 0-0 draw with Atalanta, he has since impressed in three consecutive starts against Manchester City, Bolton and the Foxes bouncing back from a freak calf injury sustained in the last Interlull.
If White and Calafiori do miss out, they will take their place in the stands next to a growing list of injured full-backs. Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) are also out, as are midfielders Mikel Merino (shoulder) and Martin Odegaard (ankle).
With Jurrien Timber at right-back, Jakub Kiwior is the most likely candidate to step in on the other side although there could be a temptation to try Myles Lewis-Skelly given the youngster’s recent showing against Bolton.
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Update: Calafiori took part in training today, however, Ben White was absent.
I think unless Tomi comes back and stays fit this year Arteta will do everything he can to get rid in the summer and bring in someone more reliable. Such a shame as he’s a great player, but his worth is so minimal when he misses such vast swathes of every season.
His injury situation also explains why he was offered a quite short contract extension. Think Arteta will use this season to assess if he can rely on Tomi or not.
Unfortunately we won’t be able to get much for him unless he can come back and prove he is healthy, but then again will struggle to find playing time unless we have a massive number of injuries.
Think Kiwior will do well against PSG, especially with Dembele out for disciplinary issues.
Quite worried about Timber tho. Played 340min in two weeks. Hope Benny Blanco can come back asap!
To be short of full backs when the squad is loaded with full backs is Arsenal ‘eritage. I think Arsene also had this problem when we started with 4 CBs during banter era. I think our fully fit CB list only has Gabi, Saliba and Kiwior.
Tbf Timber played most of his Ajax games as CB (106/121).
You forgot Lewis-Skelly, after his showing last week if needed he could step in I think.
Hate to say it, but our depth in the full back position is a bit of an illusion. Our options only appear stacked because the club basically have to compensate for the fact two of those options are Zinchenko and Tomiyasu
The thing about Kiwior is, he stays fit.
That’s a handy attribute to have. I say keep him.
Rarely plays, I’m sure that helps!
Zinchenko got injured whilst not playing, so that’s not necessarily the case.
The greatest ability a player can have is availability – next most important being reliability – which is where Kiwior sometimes is found lacking
Too many defenders?
If Calafiori is injured that’s a hammer blow. He was in the process of reinventing the LB position for us again, offering so much on the ball, buildup and final 3rd, monstering headers and ground duels. I like Kiwior but I like him as a CB. I really didn’t think we would need to see him again at LB. At least he’s done it before. I was looking forward to facing PSG but we do so with a major handicap now.
Agree on Cali obviously- would be terrible to lose him like we did Timber ugggghhhh. But what were we just saying about Lewis Skelly and a path into the team at LB?? Would be silly world if we somehow manage to be down to our 5th choice teenaged LB.
Let’s hope for player health, but if there’s anything we do know, it’s that the world is indeed a silly place.
I do think Calafiori looks better, but we won 17/19 games in the second half of last season with Kiwior playing at LB. He’s a very good player and I’m not worried at all about playing the next few games with him at all.
Luckily Kiwior can come in and do a good job, but we will miss Calafiori’s ball progression, though it sounds like he may OK to play if he was in training.