Riccardo Calafiori major doubt for Liverpool | OneFootball

Riccardo Calafiori’s injury has cast a cloud over Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League victory at the Emirates.

The defender was forced off during the second half following an awkward slip, which resulted in his knee hyperextending as his leg overextended unnaturally.

Despite attempting to continue after receiving treatment from the medical staff, Calafiori was ultimately replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly, placing his availability for Sunday’s clash against Liverpool in serious doubt.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal goes down with a injury as Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal checks on him during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Arsenal FC and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta‘s post-match comments on Calafiori’s condition were concerning, though he could not offer a definitive diagnosis. “With Riccy it’s something different,” Arteta said.

“He felt something, I don’t know the extent of that so in that sense it’s not great news.”

Calafiori’s hyperextension could indicate a range of potential injuries, spanning from relatively mild to more serious outcomes.

In the best-case scenario, Calafiori may have experienced a minor ligament strain, which would result in soreness and mild swelling but could be managed with rest, physiotherapy, and anti-inflammatory treatment over a week or two.

However, the concern arises due to the mechanism of the injury—an awkward slip that appeared to force his knee into an unnatural angle—which could imply damage to more critical structures.

More severe possibilities include a partial tear to the medial collateral ligament (MCL), which could sideline him for six to eight weeks, or even damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), an injury notorious for its lengthy recovery time of up to nine months.

Given that Calafiori initially attempted to continue playing, a complete tear may be less likely, but with knee injuries, further tests will be necessary to confirm any damage and rule out meniscus involvement or cartilage damage.

Calafiori’s setback overshadowed what should have been a positive, if frustrating, evening for Arsenal, who maintained their unbeaten start to the Champions League group phase.

A first-half own goal by Dmytro Riznyk ultimately separated the two sides, after a moment of quick thinking from Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian’s low shot struck the post and then rebounded into the net off the unfortunate Riznyk, handing Arsenal the decisive goal.

The second half saw Arsenal spurn a golden opportunity to double their advantage. Leandro Trossard had the chance to convert from the penalty spot after a VAR review awarded the Gunners a spot kick for handball against Valeriy Bondar.

However, Trossard’s effort lacked conviction, sent straight down the middle and saved by Riznyk’s feet as he dived to his left.

It was Arsenal’s first penalty miss at home since December 2021, ending a streak of 11 consecutive converted penalties across all competitions.

Arsenal’s narrow lead came under threat in stoppage time, with Pedrinho unleashing a shot from outside the area that required David Raya to make a full-stretch, acrobatic save to preserve the clean sheet and secure the victory.

Although the three points were vital in maintaining Arsenal’s progress in Europe, the potential loss of Calafiori, even temporarily, will be a concern, especially with the demanding fixture schedule ahead and the looming encounter with Liverpool.