Arsenal 'discover severity' of Riccardo Calafiori knee injury as Mikel Arteta handed Real Madrid concern

The 22-year-old started in the first leg of the Azzurri's UEFA Nations League quarter-final with Germany on Thursday night, occupying one spot in a back three with Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Alessandro Bastoni.

However, Calafiori then suffered an extremely awkward slip on the San Siro turf but could not be replaced, as Luciano Spalletti had already used up all five of his substitutes.

The former Bologna man was then seen limping past reporters in the mixed zone after his side's 2-1 defeat, although neither he nor Spalletti could predict how serious his issue was.

Nevertheless, Calafiori has unsurprisingly been deemed unfit for Sunday's second leg, and Italy confirmed on Friday that he would be sent back to Arsenal for further examinations.

Calafiori could miss 'three weeks' as Italy withdrawal confirmed

"Riccardo Calafiori, who underwent tests late this morning after sustaining an injury to his left knee during yesterday's match against Germany, has been deemed unavailable for Sunday's second leg and will return to his club," the Azzurri said in a statement.

While Arsenal are yet to provide an official update on how severe Calafiori's concern is, Gianluca Di Marzio claims that the 22-year-old should only be out of action for between two and three weeks.

Calafiori has apparently only suffered a first to second degree collateral injury, but further examinations will be needed to rule out a more serious problem for the left-back, who has endured a disrupted start to life at Arsenal.

Calafiori has managed a respectable three goals and two assists from 26 appearances in all tournaments this term, but he has missed a further 14 games due to injury, including a pair of previous knee problems.

The Italy international has only played the full 90 in four Premier League games this season, and his fitness woes have opened the door for Myles Lewis-Skelly to become Mikel Arteta's first-choice left-back.

Which Arsenal matches could Calafiori miss?

Even if Calafiori is sidelined for as many as three weeks, the defender may only miss three games for Arsenal, as well as the second leg of Italy's Nations League quarter-final with Germany.

The ex-Bologna man is unlikely to be available for the visit of Fulham for a Premier League London derby on April 1, as well as the trip to Goodison Park to face Everton four days after that.

Calafiori is also at risk of missing the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final at home to Real Madrid on April 8, but he may be able to return for the home clash with Brentford on April 12, as well as the trip to the Bernabeu on April 16.

However, Arteta is not short of left-back alternatives whatsoever, as Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior can all cover for Lewis-Skelly, who will be in with a terrific shout of starting against Real Madrid if he can avoid picking up an injury on England duty.

Jurrien Timber is another option to deputise in the left-back role, as Ben White is fit again following knee surgery and is now pushing to win back his place at right-back.

Written by

Ben Knapton