Mikel Arteta has described Riccardo Califiori’s damage in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk as a “little bit of a fear”.
The Italian defender, who joined the Gunners from Bologna for £42million this summer season, went off within the second half on the Emirates on Tuesday evening after twisting his knee.
Califiori has began Arsenal’s final seven video games in all competitions and provides to an damage listing which already incorporates captain Martin Odegaard and key ahead Bukayo Saka, with fellow defender Jurrien Timber additionally out.
“He felt one thing, he couldn’t proceed enjoying,” Arteta stated of Calafiori.
“I don’t know the extent of it so in that sense not nice information. It’s a little bit of a fear.”
Arsenal, at present third within the Premier League, face Premier League leaders Liverpool in an enormous conflict on Sunday.
Arteta may even be with out suspended defender William Saliba, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney including to Arsenal’s damage issues with long-term points.
Ben White was withdrawn at half-time of Tuesday’s victory, however the Gunners boss insisted that was because of the defender choosing up a yellow card.
“It was my choice to take him out,” stated Arteta. “He had a yellow card and we’ve performed sufficient with 10 males in latest intervals. That they had lots of density on that aspect, lots of gamers on that aspect, so I didn’t wish to take any probabilities there.”
💬 “For the aim, for the efficiency, he regarded actually sharp.”
The boss reserved particular reward for Gabriel Martinelli after his match-winning show
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 22, 2024
Arteta: On Sunday we can be flying
Arsenal have been removed from their finest within the 1-0 win, secured by means of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk’s personal aim, however Arteta advised his gamers have been “drained” and insisted they may re-energised as soon as the Liverpool sport comes round.
“We performed two nights in the past with gamers coming from internationals after flying from Brazil and lots of international locations,” stated Arteta.
“I used to be anticipating a little bit of a drop off. And the truth that we put a lot within the first half and didn’t get the space by way of the scoreline, I feel we paid a bit for that.
“Then we made life harder for us as a result of we began give the ball away in not the proper areas after which it was extra open. That didn’t assist. However we’ve got now 4 days. Imagine me, come Sunday we’ll be flying.”
He added: “We’ll overview, have a time off, then two days to organize the sport. Sunday is much and we’re greater than snug that we’ll be in the proper place.”
