Riccardo Calafiori Injury Adds to Arsenal’s Growing List of Concerns Ahead of Liverpool Clash
Arsenal continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates, but the result was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to left-back Riccardo Calafiori. Mikel Arteta’s side is now facing a growing injury crisis ahead of a crucial Premier League encounter with Liverpool on Sunday, October 27.
Calafiori Injury Woes
In the second half against Shakhtar, Calafiori awkwardly landed after a challenge and was forced off with what appeared to be a knee injury. Arteta, speaking after the game, acknowledged that the initial signs weren’t promising. “He had to come off because he felt something, so that’s not great news,” Arteta said in a post-match interview. Calafiori was replaced by young academy product Myles Lewis-Skelly, highlighting Arsenal’s reliance on youth amid their injury troubles.
Defensive Crisis Deepens
Arsenal’s defensive issues are mounting at a time when they can least afford it. William Saliba is suspended for the upcoming Liverpool game after receiving a red card during Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, while Jurrien Timber remains sidelined due to a long-term injury. Adding to Arteta’s problems, both Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also unavailable due to ongoing injury concerns. These absences leave Arteta with limited defensive options against the Premier League leaders.
Offensive Worries: Saka and Ødegaard
Arsenal’s concerns aren’t confined to the backline. Star winger Bukayo Saka has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury sustained on international duty with England, and Arteta confirmed that his availability for the Liverpool clash remains uncertain. “He wasn’t able to train yet, so that’s unlikely,” Arteta told reporters. Captain Martin Ødegaard also remains on the sidelines, further weakening Arsenal’s attacking prowess.
Fatigue Setting In?
Arsenal’s win over Shakhtar was not without its struggles. The team looked fatigued, something Arteta acknowledged post-match. “We played two nights ago with players coming from international duty,” said the Arsenal manager. “We expected a bit of a drop-off… but we have four days to recover, and come Sunday we’ll be flying.” Arteta remains hopeful that his team will recover in time for the high-stakes clash against Liverpool, but the injuries and fatigue could present serious obstacles.
Conclusion
The loss of Calafiori is a major blow to an Arsenal side already stretched thin due to injuries and suspensions. With the Liverpool game looming large, Arteta will need to find solutions to plug the gaps in his squad if they are to maintain their Premier League title challenge. Arsenal’s depth will be tested, and the coming days will determine how well Arteta can manage this growing list of concerns.
