Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori suffers big injury before North London derby

New summer addition Riccardo Calafiori sustained an injury during Italy’s Nations League match against France on Friday night, dealing a severe blow to Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal’s match against Tottenham the following week. League A of the UEFA Nations League pitted the European nations against one another in Paris; the Italians prevailed 3-1.

Luciano Spalletti’s plans, however, were derailed when he saw Calafiori leave the field due to an injury in the second half. After being tackled himself, France’s Ousmane Dembele landed on the defender’s ankle, inflicting a bizarre injury, according to talkSPORT. When the Arsenal player went down, his colleagues in Italy were immediately concerned and asked the trainer to come onto the field to tend to the center-back.

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Despite the defender’s removal, Italy manager Luciano Spalletti dismissed worries that he was gravely injured and stated he might even be ready to play against Israel on Monday. “We have to evaluate Riccardo, but with our personnel, we should have him back for the next game,” Spalletti stated.

In light of a hectic schedule for the remainder of the month, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be thrilled with the news. Despite having five games in September across the Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup, the Gunners do not play their first game of the month until September 15.

Arteta will hope Spalletti is correct and Calafiori is fit and ready for the next game, with Arsenal facing Tottenham in the north London derby.

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