Italy boss Luciano Spalletti gives Riccardo Calafiori injury update after new £42m Arsenal star limps off in France win
LUCIANO SPALLETTI has provided an update on Riccardo Calafiori’s injury.
The Arsenal defender limped off during Italy’s Nations League win over France on Friday night.
He suffered a freak injury in a coming together with Ousmane Dembele, which resulted in a blow to Calafiori’s ankle.
The 22-year-old received treatment from the Italian medical staff before being forced off just after the hour mark.
It comes as a blow to Mikel Arteta ahead of the Gunners’ North London derby against Tottenham next Sunday.
However, Spalletti eased concerns over the injury scare following his side’s 3-1 victory in Paris.
The Italy boss told reporters: “We need to assess Riccardo but with our staff, we’ve a good chance to have him back with us for the next game.”
Italy are back in Nations League action against Israel in Budapest on Monday night.
Calafiori has won six caps since making his international debut in June.
He starred for Italy at Euro 2024 earlier this summer after a stellar season in Serie A, earning himself a move to the Emirates Stadium.
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The Gunners swooped to complete the £42million signing of the defender, who has signed a five-year deal with the club.
Calafiori has since made two substitute appearances against Aston Villa and Brighton in the Premier League.
Arteta will be hoping to call upon his summer signing once again when his side face Tottenham.
The Spaniard is already without Takehiro Tomiyasu through injury, whilst Jurrien Timber missed almost all of last season.
Timber suffered a torn cruciate ligament on his league debut in August 2023, which ruled him out for eight months.