Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United put many players under the spotlight, even one who didn’t play a minute.
Arsenal conceded three goals for the first time in over 25 months, but truthfully, that was the least of Mikel Arteta’s worries.
In the hosts’ defence, two of United’s goals were of exceptional quality and were near impossible to keep out, but no one wants to hear that.
All in all, it was another poor day for Arsenal in the Premier League, taking their winless run to three, which had fans fuming on social media.
Fill in the blank: I feel ____________ about Arsenal’s Premier League title chances after losing to Man Utd…
Arsenal fans are desperately missing Riccardo Calafiori after Man United defeat
Gary Neville couldn’t believe Arsenal’s lack of game management after going ahead against United, which saw the Gunners lose after taking the lead for the first time this season.
There were so many frailties to Arsenal’s performance, so much so that fans couldn’t stop talking about a player who didn’t even play.
Riccardo Calafiori was one of Arsenal’s most improved players before he got injured, but we haven’t seen him feature since December.
After the defeat to United, it’s fair to say that fans are missing the Italian dearly.
“I miss calafiori man, he’s been so pivotal for our lhs [left hand side]”, one X user posted.
Another agreed, saying it’s ‘crazy’ how sorely missed Calafiori is.
“Calafiori is such a big miss in this team its crazy!”
Who was Arsenal’s most disappointing player against Man United?
Explain your answer!
Fans are collectively praying that the defender returns from injury soon: “Pray Calafiori recovers early.”
One thing about Calafiori is that he can do it all, possessing a daring and unpredictable style, a profile that Arsenal miss badly right now.
On X, Arsenal supporters made their appreciation for the Italy international known.
“When is Calafiori back? That is the only player that uses his actual brain in this team. I’ve missed him.”
A fellow supporter posted an even stronger opinion, “Calafiori is the f—— glue I can’t lie.”
Another agreed to an extent, saying that the 23-year-old is the maestro behind the whole system.
“So the whole system was just basically that Calafiori is a really cool and unique player.”
Arsenal have a serious left-sided issue
So Arsenal fans miss Calafiori, that we understand.
The actual problem is a far greater issue, however, as it’s not only the Italian’s profile that’s missing, but a body at left-back in general.
Fill in the blank: ______________ starts at left-back for Arsenal when everyone is fit…
Hincapie or Calafiori…
We saw Arteta hook Piero Hincapie against United as he was struggling on the left, with the boss’s response to move Jurrien Timber to the left to bring Ben White to the right.
To me, that screams that the manager does not trust his left-back options right now, as Myles Lewis-Skelly was on the bench ready to be utilised.
With Calafiori out, Hincapie underperforming and Lewis-Skelly not entirely trusted, there’s surely scope for Andrea Berta to take a glance at the transfer market for a left-sider.
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