Calafiori returns to Arsenal after latest injury setback on duty with Italy | OneFootball

Arsenal managed to arrest their mini-slump before the international break, claiming a crucial 1-0 victory over a listless Chelsea side.

The Gunners had struggled against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, drawing the two after losing to West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal fell 12 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League and face a fight to close that gap and potentially usurp the table-toppers.

The Arsenal challenge has not been helped by the injury to Riccardo Calafiori. The Gunners left-back/centre-back fell awkwardly and twisted his knee during the Italy versus Germany game.

Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti later confirmed that Calafiori had felt something wrong in his knee, and the 22-year-old limped away from the mixed zone after full-time.

The Italian FA have confirmed Calafiori’s injury with an official statement, saying that the ex-Bologna defender is already on his way to Arsenal.

Arsenal fans will have their hearts in their mouth. They need all hands on deck for this run-in. Reports from Italy claim he should be out for around two to three weeks.

Arsenal will likely not have Calafiori for games against Fulham and Everton, and at least the first leg of that all-important UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid.

In hindsight, the decision to splash big money on an injury-prone player like Calafiori looks increasingly reckless. The Italian has managed to feature in just 17 of Arsenal’s 29 Premier League games this season, and now, at the business end of the campaign, he’s sidelined when the Gunners need him.

For a team fighting to close the gap on Liverpool and competing in the latter stages of the Champions League, reliability is just as crucial as talent. Calafiori may be a promising defender, but what good is he if he can’t stay on the pitch for Arsenal?

Arsenal’s gamble on his fitness is backfiring at the worst possible time. If the Gunners fall short this season, they may look back at this costly gamble as one of their biggest missteps.