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Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori 'out' of national team - will he be fit for Tottenham?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

Published: September 8 2024 | 15:10

Last updated: September 8 2024 | 16:50

Calafiori concern: Arsenal star 'out' of Italy game after bizarre injury

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori reportedly withdraws from the Italy squad following the calf injury he sustained against France on Friday evening.

Arsenal and Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori has reportedly pulled out of the Azzurri squad following his injury scare in Friday's 3-1 UEFA Nations League win over France.

The 22-year-old sustained a bang to the calf in unorthodox circumstances on Friday night, where he was tracking back as his teammate Alessandro Bastoni put in a crunching tackle on Ousmane Dembele.

The Paris Saint-Germain winger went flying in the air towards Calafiori - unbeknownst to Arsenal's summer signing - and caught the back of his calf with his boot as he tumbled to the ground.

Calafiori came off far worse than his French colleague and was forced to leave the field, trudging off with two members of the medical team either side of him as Alessandro Buongiorno saw out the game.

Italy boss Luciano Spalletti was immediately optimistic about Calafiori's chances of recovering in time for the Azzurri's second clash with Israel on Monday, but according to Fabrizio Romano, he has now withdrawn from the camp.

Riccardo Calafiori of Italy embraces Ousmane Dembele of France as he leaves the field of play with an injury on September 6, 2024 © Imago

Is Calafiori a doubt for the North London derby?

Neither Italy nor Arsenal wanted to take any risks over the defender's fitness after Friday's scare, and he will now return to North London to be assessed by the Gunners' medical staff.

However, a separate update from Romano stresses that Calafiori is not suffering from anything more serious than a knock, and his withdrawal from Monday's game is simply precautionary.

As a result, there is a good chance that the 22-year-old will make a full recovery in time for next weekend's North London derby away to Tottenham Hotspur, although he is unlikely to start the game.

Calafiori joined Arsenal in a £42m deal from Bologna after helping the Rossoblu qualify for the Champions League, and he has come off the bench in their last two Premier League matches against Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Arsenal are well-stocked in defence even without Calafiori's services, though, as Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko are currently vying for the left-back position for next weekend's derby.

What other selection concerns does Arteta have?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured in July 2024 © Imago

Even if Calafiori had suffered an injury serious enough to rule him out of the North London derby, the rearguard is not where Arsenal's main worries lie, in spite of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney's own concerns.

Instead, Arteta is facing a couple of dilemmas in midfield, where ever-present anchor Declan Rice will not be available due to suspension, having been controversially sent off against Brighton last weekend.

New signing Mikel Merino would have been an ideal replacement for Rice in the number eight slot, but the ex-Real Sociedad man is nursing a shoulder fracture and is facing at least another month on the sidelines.

Arteta could either introduce Jorginho into the left eight slot or number six position, the latter would see Thomas Partey switch to an advanced role, or bring in a wild card youngster in Ethan Nwaneri or Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Kai Havertz dropping deeper is not beyond the realm of possibility either, but that is dependent on Gabriel Jesus recovering from a groin injury in time to lead the line.