Arsenal Injury Update: Riccardo Calafiori Latest Details, Recovery Timeline

Arsenal have been one of the best teams over the recent years however, injuries have always hindered their full potential. As of the 2024/2025 season, Riccardo Calafiori has joined their injury list as the Gunners enter a crucial part of the season.

Calafiori picked up the injury whilst playing for Italy against Germany in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. The match ended 1-2 with Germany leading in the first leg itself.

As for Arsenal, they are set to face Fulham next and then Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Riccardo Calafiori will be duly missed since Arsenal are looking to ensure a spot in the Premier League top four and contend for the UEFA Champions League title as well.

The injury suffered is expected to affect further plans for Arsenal. On that note, read below and get a detailed overview of how the forward faced the injury, the freshest update on the situation, the impact of the blow on the club, his possible replacements, and his return to action date.

Riccardo Calafiori Injury Update

Once again, a knee injury has gotten the better of Riccardo Calafiori. Calafiori had already missed November’s international matches because of a knee injury. As of now, he has picked up a knee injury again whilst playing for Italy. Calafiori is expected to be sidelined for at least two to three weeks and is very grateful since the injury could have been much worse.

Have a look at what Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had to say about Calafiori’s injury:

“Ricardo, unfortunately, picked up an injury again with the national team. Really unfortunate the way it happened,”

It could have been much worse. So hopefully it’s going to be a matter of weeks. But we’ll have to see how that injury evolves.”

Impact of Riccardo Calafiori’s Injury On Arsenal’s Squad And Strategy

Arsenal are looking to ensure a spot in the Premier League top four and contend for the UEFA Champions League title as well.

The Gunners are doing extremely well in terms of keeping their spot in the top four. Arsenal are second in the Premier League table with 58 points, whereas Nottingham Forest are in third place with 54 points, and Chelsea in fourth with 49 points.

Although it is very unlikely that Arsenal will not retain a spot in the top four, Arteta would still like to remain at second since first first-placed Liverpool are at 70 points.

As for the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal have a key battle coming up since they are facing the kings of the tournament Real Madrid. Riccardo Calafiori’s absence will hurt them since their defense was one of their key strengths this season.

Possible Replacements And Tactical Adjustments

Mikel Arteta has two great options to field in place of Riccardo Calafiori. Although it is very difficult to imitate his impact and play style, Arsenal’s bench has a few players who can fill in that void. The first and more obvious one is Ben White, who has played in that position before and, in general, has been a great defender for Arsenal.

The second one is Miles Lewis Skelly, who is a midfielder but can play as a left-back. He has played at left-back before for Arsenal and has shown that he is great at the attacking traits of a left-back, but is not great defensively.

Mikel Arteta can employ a few tactics to field Lewis Skelly comfortably. This can be done by playing a back four when out of possession and a back three in possession, in which Skelly would shift to midfield.

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