Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori is a fresh injury concern for the side heading into the clash with Manchester United in the FA Cup third round.
The defender has been in and out of the side since signing from Bologna in the summer 2024 transfer window.
At times, the Italian international has shown elements of top-level play when defending or carrying the ball forward for Arsenal.
There have been some struggles in stringing performances together though, not helped by Calafiori’s injury problems.
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Arsenal handed fresh Riccardo Calafiori injury issue
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori was a surprise exclusion from the side to take on Manchester United in the FA Cup third round.
The left-back wasn’t present in the side, with Myles Lewis-Skelly featuring there after an impressive spell in the team.
Calafiori didn’t feature against Newcastle in midweek during the EFL Cup, staying on the bench but still featuring in training.
His absence came as a slight surprise, with it being confirmed that it was due to injury and not for selection reasons.
It has been described as a “muscular problem” for the defender, though it is uncertain just how long he could face out of action.
Arsenal replacement options for Riccardo Calafiori
If there is one place where Arsenal can afford some absences, it is probably the left-back position due to the options available.
Beyond Calafiori, there is Lewis-Skelly, who will get an opportunity to make the shirt his own against Manchester United.
There is also Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior, who can all feature in the full-back role.
Whether any of them are able to secure the position as their own, it remains to be seen, while the length of the injury for Calafiori could determine some of the business in January.
The future of Zinchenko, Tierney and Kiwior has been up for discussion, with plenty of interest shown in the trio.
If Calafiori is out of action for a while, then there may be more scope for a stay for some of those stars who have uncertain futures.
There is an expectation that more information will be revealed in due course.
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