Arteta on Calafiori’s injury: ‘Not good news’ | OneFootball

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta insists he doesn’t yet know the extent of Riccardo Calafiori’s knee injury but admits ‘it’s not good news.’

The Italy international was forced to be subbed off in the second half of Tuesday’s Champions League game between Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk.

The 22-year-old’s knee made an unnatural movement, leaving him in pain and forcing Arteta to replace him.

“With Riccy he had to come off because he felt something,” the Spanish tactician said at a post-match press conference, as quoted by Football-London.

Arteta on Calafiori’s injury: ‘Not good news’

Riccardo Calafiori Italy EPA-EFE/DAVIDE CASENTINI

“I don’t know the extent of it, but it’s not good news.”

During his post-match interview with TNT Sports, he added: “He [Calafiori] felt something and could not continue playing, so [it’s a] bit of a worry.”

Calafiori suffered a cruciate ligament injury six years ago when he was playing for Roma Primavera. However, he recovered after undergoing surgery and made his senior Roma debut in 2020 under Paulo Fonseca.

Calafiori spent one season at Basel in 2022-23 before joining Bologna on a permanent transfer in 2023.

Last term, he contributed to Rossoblu’s first Champions League qualification in over 60 years before completing a €50m transfer to Arsenal.

Calafiori has one goal in 10 appearances with the Gunners this season. Exams in the coming hours will clarify the extent of his injury.