- 22 hours ago
Arteta admits ‘WORRY’ over ‘BRILLIANT’ player as injury problems mount
Robin Bairner
- 23 Oct 2024 06:44 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal claimed a 1-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, but it was a game that the Gunners were notably without Bukayo Saka for.
The England international previously picked up what was described as a “minor” complaint and missed the Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the weekend, and it had been expected he would line up against the Ukrainians.
Arsenal were already missing Martin Odegaard, and their injury problems mounted when Riccardo Calafiori collapsed awkwardly with what appears to be a knee issue.
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Arteta admits that the Italian’s fall is a source of concern.
"He felt something, he could not continue playing," Arteta said of Calafiori.
"It is a bit of a worry."
Current ETV
Riccardo Calafiori
D (CL)
Arsenal
Riccardo Calafiori
D (CL)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€27.1M - €45.2M
The Gunners also missed Jurrien Timber on Tuesday, with the Dutchman Calafiori’s obvious alternative at left-back, and pundit Chris Sutton says the blow will be a heavy one should the former Bologna player face a prolonged period out.
“It's such an intense period,” Sutton told Radio 5 Live.
“Injuries put pressure on the squad. Arsenal are missing key players such as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.
“It was the way Riccardo Calafiori fell. When he went down again, you think there's something there. It is so unfortunate as he's been brilliant since he came to Arsenal. He can play in the midfield role, he has the awareness for that.
“Calafiori will be a massive loss at the weekend. Arsenal need to find a way of muddling their way through.”
’On Sunday, we will be flying’
Arsenal face Liverpool at the Emirates at the weekend, and though there is the prospect of a lengthy injury list to contend with, Arteta is confident his team will be at their best after a couple of below-par displays.
“We played two and a half days ago, with guys coming from internationals after flying from Brazil and many countries,” he said.
“I was expecting that we could drop off a little bit. Now we have four days, and believe me on Sunday we will be flying.”
Arsenal can scarcely afford to drop points in the Premier League title race already as they lie four points behind the Reds and three behind defending champions Manchester City.
