Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori was forced to leave the field during Italy’s win over France on Friday night due to an injury scare, but coach Luciano Spalletti has since eased concerns about his condition.
Calafiori, one of Arsenal’s major summer signings, was brought in to strengthen the squad.
Fans were understandably apprehensive, recalling the injury struggles of Jurrien Timber last season.
Timber was sidelined after just one match, which significantly impacted his season.
The initial concern for Calafiori was heightened by an unusual sequence of events.
During the match, Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni won the ball from Ousmane Dembélé but, in following through, inadvertently struck the French forward.
Dembélé’s flailing leg then collided with Calafiori, who was not involved in the original tackle.
Calafiori immediately went down, clearly in pain, as his teammates rushed to his side.
An assessment is forthcoming, but Italy remain hopeful that the defender could return to action within a few days.
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.”
Italy’s next outing will be against Israel on Monday in another Nations League fixture.
Riccardo Calafiori might be held back as a precautionary measure.
However, this injury could pose a concern for Arsenal once domestic football resumes after the international break.
The Gunners won’t play their first game of September until the 15th, but they’ll face five matches before the month ends, competing in the Premier League, Champions League, and the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal’s next challenge is a north London derby, where they’ll already be missing Declan Rice.
The midfielder was controversially sent off in the draw with Brighton, leaving a significant gap in the midfield.
Arteta has praised his new Italian signing, highlighting his versatility as a major asset for the team.
“He brings a lot of versatility because he can play in two or three different positions and especially in attack, occupy different spaces because he’s a real defender,” he said.
“When you see his press and physicality, how he goes into duels, it’s unbelievable.
“And then obviously he’s done a lot last year, he’s a player than can improve us.”
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