Arsenal receive an injury blow ahead of their match against Liverpool

Arsenal have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool as defender Riccardo Calafiori has sustained a medial collateral ligament (MCL) issue. The injury occurred during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League, but fortunately, it is not considered serious. According to Corriere dello Sport, Calafiori will be sidelined for no more than a few weeks.

This news will come as a setback for manager Mikel Arteta, who has been relying on Calafiori to add depth to his defensive options. The 22-year-old has been an impressive figure since joining the Gunners, slotting in comfortably on the left side of the defense. His versatility has been crucial for Arsenal as they juggle domestic and European commitments this season.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 01: A general view as Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal prepares to take a throw in during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

While the injury is not as severe as initially feared, Calafiori’s absence will be felt in upcoming matches, including the high-stakes fixture against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. With the Gunners currently sitting in third place in the Premier League, they will need to rely on their remaining defensive options to cope with the challenge posed by the league leaders.

Arteta may now turn to Kieran Tierney or Oleksandr Zinchenko to fill the left-back role in Calafiori’s absence. Both players bring their own strengths to the position, but Calafiori’s absence could still disrupt Arsenal’s defensive stability.

Arsenal fans will be relieved to hear that the Italian defender’s injury is not long-term, but with key fixtures on the horizon, the Gunners will hope that their squad depth can see them through. Calafiori’s return in the coming weeks will be eagerly anticipated as Arsenal look to maintain their strong start to the season.