Mikel Arteta ‘worried’ over Riccardo Calafiori injury vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Mikel Arteta admits he has a ‘bit of a worry’ over Riccardo Calafiori after the Arsenal star limped off with injury in Tuesday’s win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Calafiori was hauled off in the 72nd minute during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory in the Champions League at the Emirates, with what looked like a right knee problem.

With Arsenal set for a Premier League showdown against fellow title challengers Liverpool in just five days, Arteta has expressed concern over Calafiori’s injury.

Following the win over Shakhtar Donetsk, Arteta told Amazon Prime: ‘He felt something. He could not continue playing. So, [it is a] bit of a worry.’

In his post-match press conference, Arteta added: ‘I don’t know the extent [yet]. But it’s not great news.’

Chris Sutton, meanwhile, who saw Calafiori suffer the injury in real time while on commentary duties, said: ‘I’m not a medical expert, but that doesn’t look good for Riccardo Calafiori.

‘His right knee, he is put off balance and slips. Then it’s awkward the way he goes down. He tweaks his right knee. This is a real concern for Arsenal [with] all the talk of the big game at the weekend.

‘It’s such an intense period. Injuries puts pressure on the squad. Arsenal are missing key players such as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

‘It was the way Riccardo Calafiori fell. When he went down again, you think there’s something there. It is so unfortunate as he’s been brilliant since he come to Arsenal. He can play in the midfield role, he has the awareness for that.

‘Calafiori will be a massive loss at the weekend. Arsenal need to find a way of muddling their way through.

‘Tonight it is job done. There will be disappointment as Mikel Arteta would have liked things easier, but this is top level Champions League football. Arsenal are still a force.’

Calafiori’s absence against Liverpool would be a significant blow given Arsenal are already without William Saliba while there are question marks over Bukayo Saka’s fitness too.

Arteta cannot confirm if Saka will be ready to face Liverpool on Sunday after he missed the win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Quizzed on Amazon Prime if Saka was close to returning against Shakhtar Donetsk, Arteta said: ‘He wasn’t able to do the session in the way we wanted. He still isn’t feeling good. It wasn’t good news.’

Asked if Saka would return against Liverpool on Sunday, Arteta added: ‘At the moment, I am not very helpful. Let’s see. We still have a few days. I don’t know. He wasn’t able to train yet so that’s unlikely.’

Arsenal currently sit third in the Premier League on 17 points after their opening eight games of the season. Arne Slot’s Liverpool, meanwhile, are top with 21 points, narrowly ahead of second-placed Manchester City.