Arsenal’s crucial win over Leicester City on Saturday may have come at a cost, with rumors emerging that defender Riccardo Calafiori suffered a knee injury during the match. The Italian defender, who has been a key player for Arsenal this season, was seen in visible distress after the game, raising concerns about his fitness for upcoming fixtures.
According to reports from Teamnewsandtix via Now Arsenal, Calafiori was spotted in tears during the post-match celebrations, sparking fears that he might have picked up a serious injury. This comes as a blow for manager Mikel Arteta, who is already dealing with several injuries in his squad.
The match itself was a thrilling encounter, with Arsenal securing a 4-2 win over Leicester City. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime. However, Leicester fought back with two second-half goals from James Justin, putting the Gunners under immense pressure. It took two late goals in stoppage time for Arsenal to finally secure the victory.
Despite the win, Arsenal’s growing injury concerns are overshadowing the result. Key players like captain Martin Odegaard and new summer signing Mikel Merino are already out due to injuries. Takehiro Tomiyasu is also sidelined, and Ben White missed the Leicester match, further limiting Arteta’s defensive options.
Calafiori, who joined Arsenal from Bologna in the summer, has quickly become an important figure in the team. He even scored a spectacular goal in a recent match against Manchester City, showing his offensive capabilities as a defender. However, the 22-year-old has struggled with fitness issues, having just returned from a calf injury. Now, the suspected knee injury could keep him out for an extended period, leaving Arteta with fewer choices in defense.
With a critical Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) just days away, Arsenal could face a major dilemma if Calafiori is unavailable. Arteta might have to rely on Jakub Kiwior to fill the defensive gap. Although Kiwior is a strong player, he brings a different style of play compared to the more attacking-minded Calafiori.
Arsenal will be hoping for a positive update on Calafiori’s condition as they prepare for the midweek European clash against PSG. The Gunners aim to build on their recent form and secure back-to-back Champions League victories, but the growing injury list could pose a challenge in their pursuit of success this season.
