Injuries continue to trouble Arsenal.
The Gunners have lost so many key players since the turn of 2025, and their problems, for one reason or another, are not going away.
Earlier this season, Arsenal had to do without many of their attackers due to injuries. Now, the same issue has struck their defence.
William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera’s injuries have forced Mikel Arteta to use six different centre-back partnerships this season.
Now, another defender, Riccardo Calafiori, may have an issue.
Who do you think should start as Arsenal’s centre-backs if William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are both unavailable?
Riccardo Calafiori spotted limping after Arsenal’s defeat to Aston Villa
Arsenal’s 18-game unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end against Aston Villa.
Unai Emery’s men were the better side for large periods of the game, and they deserved all three points, even though it came from the last kick of the match.
Arsenal players looked tired after playing their fifth game in 13 days, and injury issues at the back have not helped them either.
Now, the Premier League leaders may have another problem.
James Benge of CBS Sports, who was at Villa Park on Saturday, uploaded a video on X, showing Calafiori limping as he walked off the pitch after the game.
That is not a good sign at all, as the Italian has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season.
However, Calafiori could get some much-needed rest now – not just because of any potential injury but because he is suspended for the game against Wolves next weekend.
Arteta should rest him in the midweek Champions League clash against Club Brugge as well, just so that he can get a break and be fresh for the festive period.
How much will Arsenal miss Riccardo Calafiori?
Calafiori's yellow card vs Aston Villa was his fifth of the season, so he will have to serve a one-game ban. Will Arsenal miss him vs Wolves?
Arsenal have another injury worry with Leandro Trossard
Calafiori isn’t the only one who limped off the pitch against Aston Villa; Leandro Trossard did as well.
The Belgian entered the field as a substitute at half-time, replacing the very disappointing Eberechi Eze, but he was withdrawn after 40 minutes.
Arteta claimed after the game that the plan was to only play Trossard for a limited time, but he also said that the attacker ‘started to feel’ his injury again, so he had to be taken off.
That is a big concern as Trossard has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season, and losing him will weaken the Gunners’ left flank.
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