Gunners Face Injury Crisis Ahead of Liverpool Clash
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is bracing himself for the possibility of adding Riccardo Calafiori to the team’s growing injury list. The Italian defender, who joined the Gunners in the summer for £42 million, limped off the pitch during Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Calafiori’s Injury a Cause for Concern
Calafiori’s exit from the game came after he fell awkwardly on his right leg, and Arteta admitted that the initial signs were not promising. “Riccy had to come off because he felt something,” said Arteta. “I don’t know the extent of it, so in that sense, it’s not great news.”
Injury List Mounts for Arsenal
The potential loss of Calafiori is just the latest blow for Arsenal, who are already dealing with a number of injuries. Bukayo Saka is unlikely to be available for Sunday’s clash with Liverpool due to a hamstring problem, while Martin Ødegaard (ankle) and Jurriën Timber (muscular issue) are also major doubts.
Defensive Shuffle Possible
With William Saliba suspended following his red card at Bournemouth, Arteta may be forced to reshuffle his defense. One possible solution could be to use midfielder Thomas Partey at right back, a move that would allow the team to maintain some stability in the face of adversity.
Arteta Confident Despite Challenges
Despite the mounting injury list, Arteta remains confident that his team will be ready for Sunday’s clash with Liverpool. “I was expecting a bit of a drop off,” said Arteta, referring to the team’s subdued display against Shakhtar. “But we have four days to review, have a day off, and then two days to prepare for the game. Sunday is far, and we are more than comfortable that we’ll be in the right place.”
Ben White’s Substitution a Tactical Move
Arteta also explained that Ben White’s substitution at half-time was a tactical move, designed to avoid a fourth red card for the team this season. “Ben had a yellow card, and we’ve played enough with 10 men in recent periods,” said Arteta. “They had a lot of density on that side, a lot of players on that side, so I didn’t want to take any chances there.”
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