Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori sustained a “slight issue” during the closing stages of the club’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton, prompting manager Mikel Arteta to address the concern post-match.
The Italian international, who was introduced as a second-half substitute, left the pitch in discomfort, leading to a late tactical adjustment that saw Noni Madueke drop into defence.
Calafiori’s Role Against Everton
Calafiori, who had started every league match this season, was named on the bench for the Everton fixture, with Myles Lewis-Skelly starting at left-back. He entered the game off the bench in the second half as Arsenal secured a comfortable win that saw them draw level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table.
However, his cameo was not without incident. During the eight minutes of stoppage time, Calafiori was observed standing up front, seemingly unable to continue in his defensive role. As a result, Madueke moved into defence, working hard in the closing stages while receiving instructions from teammates Ezri Konsa and Gabriel, as reported by the London Evening Standard.
At the final whistle, Calafiori went straight down the tunnel, indicating the nature of his discomfort.
Manager Arteta’s Update
Addressing the media after the game, Mikel Arteta confirmed the defender had picked up a problem. “Yeah I wasn’t that mad to change those two from their positions,” Arteta stated, as quoted by AOL.co.uk. “It was because he had a slight issue, we don’t know what it is, it seems to be something very small, but he was cautious about it.”
Arteta’s comments suggest that while the club is yet to fully ascertain the extent of the injury, it is not believed to be severe, though Calafiori’s caution necessitated the defensive reshuffle.
Wider Arsenal Injury Picture
The concern over Calafiori comes amidst a challenging period for Arsenal regarding player fitness. Sky Sports reports that Arsenal are bracing for star forward Bukayo Saka to be ruled out for six to eight weeks due to a quadriceps injury. Additionally, midfielder Declan Rice has sparked new injury concerns after footage emerged showing him clutching his hamstring during the Everton match, having been substituted in the 80th minute.
While defender Gabriel Magalhaes also appeared to sustain a knock during the game, he quickly recovered and went on to score a crucial goal.
FAQ
- What is Riccardo Calafiori’s injury?
Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori picked up a “slight issue” or “minor problem” which “seems to be something very small,” though the exact nature is currently unknown. - When did Riccardo Calafiori sustain the injury?
The injury occurred during the “final knockings” or “closing stages” of Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League victory against Everton. - What was Calafiori’s role in the match against Everton?
Riccardo Calafiori was a second-half substitute in the match. He had started every previous league match this season but was named on the bench for this game.
