Mikel Arteta says Riccardo Calafiori’s suspected knee injury is “not good news” for Arsenal ahead of Sunday’s crunch game against Liverpool in the Premier League – live. Sky Sports.
Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates was overshadowed by Calafiori having to go off injured in the second half after an awkward fall.
Left-back Calafiori, replaced by youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, is the latest player on Arsenal’s long list of potential absentees ahead of their big league game against leaders Liverpool.
Sunday, October 27, 4:00 p.m
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“He had to stop because he felt there,” Arteta said of Calafiori after the match. “I don’t know the extent of it so in a sense that is not great news.”
Calafiori exited in the second half with a suspected knee injury
Arsenal will be without William Saliba in defense due to suspension following a red card in the league defeat at Bournemouth, while Jurrien Timber has been sidelined since the start of the month due to injury.
Arteta is also unable to call on defensive duo Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney due to long-term injury concerns, giving him limited options against Liverpool if Calafiori and Timber fail to recover in time.
Martin Odegaard is another out, while Bukayo Saka has missed the last two games with a hamstring problem, picked up by England. His injury status will be a big focus in the coming days.
Arteta didn’t seem optimistic about Saka’s chances before the game. “I don’t know, he hasn’t been able to train, so it’s impossible,” he said Amazon Prime.
Ben White was taken off at half-time against Shakhtar after picking up a booking and Arteta clarified after the match that this was only done to prevent another attack for the team, rather than due to injury.
“It was my decision to take him out,” Arteta said. “He has a yellow card and we have played enough with 10 men in recent times. They have a lot of density in that side, a lot of players in that side, so I don’t want to take any chances there.”
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Sky Sports’ Paul Gilmour and Nick Wright react to Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, which left Riccardo Calafiori injured.
Arteta: Arsenal’s ‘fatigue’ will fly on Sunday
Arsenal looked “tired” with their own manager admitting against Shakhtar, hardly encouraging ahead of Liverpool’s visit, but he is confident his side will be re-energized on Sunday.
“We played two nights ago with players who came from internationals after flying from Brazil and many countries,” said Arteta, asked if he was worried that fatigue would affect Liverpool’s game.
“I expected a little. And the fact that we created a lot in the first half and didn’t get any distance on the score line, I think we paid a little.
“Then we made life more difficult for us because we started giving the ball in the wrong area and then more open. It didn’t help. But it’s been four days now. Believe me, come Sunday we will fly.”
He added: “We will check, have a day off, then two days to prepare for the game. The week is away and we are more comfortable that we will be in the right place.”
Upcoming Arsenal matches
Liverpool (H) – Premier League – Sunday, October 27 – live on Sky Sports
Preston North End (A) – Carabao Cup – Wednesday 30 October – live on Sky Sports
Newcastle United (A) – Premier League – Saturday, November 2
Inter Milan (A) – UEFA Champions League – Wednesday, November 6
Chelsea (A) – Premier League – Sunday, November 10 – live on Sky Sports
Nottingham Forest (H) – Premier League – Saturday, November 23
Sport Lisbon (A) – UEFA Champions League – Tuesday, November 26
West Ham United (A) – Premier League – Saturday, November 30 – live on Sky Sports
