Arsenal face fresh injury concern as Riccardo Calafiori suffers knee issue

Arsenal have been dealt another major injury scare after defender Riccardo Calafiori sustained a knee issue during Italy’s 2-1 loss to Germany on Thursday night.

The 22-year-old slipped and fell awkwardly while tracking back in the first leg of the Nations League quarter-final.

There was immediate concern when his right leg gave way before he landed heavily on his left knee. Calafiori appeared to be in discomfort, clutching the affected area and remaining on the ground for some time.

Despite the scare, he managed to complete the match, which saw Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali open the scoring for Italy before Germany responded with goals from Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka.

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti confirmed after the game that Calafiori had “felt something strange” in his knee and would undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury.

“We still don’t know if he’s injured,” Spalletti said.

“Ricky felt something strange in his knee but we still don’t know.”

Calafiori was asked for an update after the game, but the former Bologna defender remained tight-lipped, stating that he was unaware of any developments.

He said: “I still don’t know.”

Riccardo Calafiori has struggled with knee problems this season

Calafiori Hampered By Injuries This Season

The Italian has struggled with knee problems this season, having been sidelined twice with the same issue.

Calafiori missed a week in September due to a calf injury and was out for a month at the end of October with a knee problem.

In December, he suffered another setback with his knee, ruling him out for two weeks. At the start of January, he spent ten days on the sidelines with a muscle issue, adding to his growing list of injury concerns – something that will worry boss Mikel Arteta.