Arsenal are facing an anxious wait over the fitness of new signing Riccardo Calafiori, after the Italian full-back suffered an injury during Italy’s 3-1 Nations League win over France this evening.
The 22-year-old, who joined the Gunners in the summer from Bologna, was forced off with a calf / ankle problem in the second half after Ousmane Dembele fell into the left-back. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound too serious.
After the game, head coach Luciano 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 [against Israel on Monday].”
🚨🔴⚪️ Italy medical staff believe Riccardo Calafiori’s injury is not serious.
“We need to assess Riccardo but with our staff, we’ve a good chance to have him back with us for the next game”, Spalletti confirms. 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/m8HtNTShUf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 6, 2024
Calafiori initially tried to play on after the collision but didn’t last long and was substituted on 71 minutes.
The incident overshadowed an impressive win for the Azzurri who bounced back from Bradley Barcola’s opener inside a minute to record their first win in Paris for more than 70 years.
Federico Dimarco levelled on 30 minutes before Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori struck in the second half to seal the victory on a night to forget for William Saliba.
FFS, we can’t get a fucking break, can we?
tbh i’m pretty glad it’s not a break, not sure why’d you want that
Nah, I think he’s actually wishing for an international break, which is even more fucking nuts…
Catch a break means to have luck on your side for a moment.
Thanks for that!
Ahead of this match, I was half expecting Saliba and Calafiori to injure each other in some freak mid-air collision.
Fingers crossed Calafiori’s injury is not serious, but he still sits out Italy’s next match..
The Italian manager confirmed there was nothing to worry about, Caliafiori will be ready to be trampled by a herd of wildebeest on Monday, before the remaining bits are shipped home to be assessed ahead of the NLD.
Lolol Please….don’t. Just don’t.
I hate to say this but it seems like Arsenal new signings need to be injured when they first signed, starting from Timber last season. Now we are left with Sterling who is not injured yet……..
I’m still waiting by the phone Mikel I can play all the positions. Not well mind you, as I’m 56, overweight and can’t invert.
more suited to bombing up and down the wing are you?
Why so self deprecating, I’m sure you can invert sugar syrup given the right ingredients at your disposal
I’m 50, overweight, and a pervert.
Joining Utd then?
Yep. Makes sense.
If we don’t demand he not play, we’re being negligent.
Ah, so he should be fit to face those international giants Israel, because obviously Italy couldn’t cope otherwise, phew what a relief for the Azzuri and of course sod Arsenal…
They should let him sit out the mon game for our sake as a knock could become serious
On his way to become an Arsenal legend!
Accompanied by Merino
Such a damaged fan base
Fuck interlulls!
We need to assess, but he is coming back for the next game.
Ermmmm…
I guess that’s why arteta keeps buying left backs (and probably will continue to collect the left backs)
He was really good last night. Continually passing through the lines and defended outstandingly well at centre half.
Also assisted a goal didn’t he?
So he can play No 6?
Fuck off…… Next Monday’s international match my hole.
Let him go back to London, now.
This is why I hate international football.
We are so damaged psychologically as a fan base, it’s sad to see. Not only is the injury not serious, we have lots of options at LB, plus injuries are normal and happen to all clubs. I know you all know this but I’m still seeing an avalanche of victimhood mentality stemming from past trauma. Have a little pride and backbone! We have a collective responsibility to transmit confidence to our players. This kind of hive mind anxiety filters through to match day and on to the pitch.
Bit early to be on the sauce mate, no?
Venting, I was away in the mountains last weekend and could not get replays of the rice incident. On returning Monday night I must have watched it nearly 10 times and dadgum it that whole sequence is beyond parody. How var doesn’t step in and say, hold up take a look is absurd. The paid commentary on the incident is mostly flat out stupid. I think how can a paid official get something so wrong. then I think about how angel Martinez was a mlb umpire for decades and conclude the official unions worldwide are corrupt and intended to protect… Read more »
That name gives me seizures. So please he is gone.
FFS pleased
I saw this happen live. It looked to me like he took a couple of studs to the calf and that caused him to lose his balance. Looked painful for sure, but I’d be shocked if it kept him out of the next Italy game, let alone left him unavailable for the next league game in 10 days. The more worrying (non) event was how bad Saliba was. At fault for multiple goals, looked confused most of the game. Hopefully it was just a sign he’s as disinterested in international football as most Gooners (and Ben White), and not an… Read more »