What Mikel Arteta now has to do against Tottenham as Arsenal suffer Riccardo Calafiori injury blow

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has picked up a knock whilst on international duty with Italy.

Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness issue has only added to Arsenal’s injury woes.

A number of Mikel Arteta’s players are already struggling. Mikel Merino picked up an injury in his first training session in North London, before even making his debut for the club, joining Takehiro Tomiyasu on the treatment table.

Martin Odegaard is carrying a fitness issue, and on top of that, Gabriel Jesus is still working his way back from an injury.

Calafiori limped off whilst representing Italy in their recent 3-1 win over France. He has now returned to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have been assured Calafiori’s injury doesn’t appear overly serious, but there will still be concerns until a full assessment has been made by the club.

It would still seem unlikely that the 22-year-old will be deemed available to start against Tottenham Hotspur in Arsenal’s upcoming North London derby.

How Arsenal will cope without Riccardo Calafiori against Tottenham

Calafiori is yet to start a game for Arsenal since joining the club this summer, but there is an argument that Spurs would have been the ideal side to hand the defender his full debut against.

His aerial prowess, pace, and physicality in the left-back role will have given the Gunners additional defensive security in a game that is sure to be frenetic, against an opponent who are sure to be keen to play on the front foot.

However, with Calafiori unlikely to be in any shape to start, Arteta must turm to his alternative left-back options, namely, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Jakub Kiwior.

Timber started Arsenal’s recent draw against Brighton. He offers greater defensive stability than Zinchenko, but provides more attacking intent than Kiwior can offer.

Arsenal fans react to Calafiori injury news

Many Arsenal fans on X are now nervously awaiting the outcome of Calafiori’s full assessment.

One said: “I really hope that this is not a serious injury.”

Another stated: “Mixed feelings: happy he’s coming home, but nervous about those injury scans!”

One supporter added: “I hope it’s not something serious. If this guy gets injured, our season is done.”

Another claimed: “Last season we were so lucky. This year, hasn’t started so well on the injury front.”