Expert predicts bad news for Mikel Arteta as Riccardo Calafiori injury verdict emerges

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Arsenal have been plagued by injuries this season and it seems that even an international break has not helped the club’s fortunes.

Martin Odegaard suffered a serious ankle injury whilst playing for Norway in the September international break and now Riccardo Calafiori has suffered an injury playing for Italy.

The Italian defender appeared to injure his knee during the UEFA Nations League clash with Germany and Mikel Arteta will now be sweating over the verdict with Real Madrid in the Champions League on the horizon.

Arsenal’s injury crisis this season has already hampered their Premier League charge and now one expert has predicted the extent of the latest blow to the Gunners.

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Medical expert provides Riccardo Calafiori injury prediction

Taking to X, medical expert Physio Scout, who predicted Gabriel Martinelli’s lengthy hamstring injury, has given an update on the injury to Calafiori.

The expert stated: “Body weight over the left knee, stressing the medial side of the knee brings concern for an MCL injury mainly.

“There is some concern for just a contusion/bone bruise injury, and there’s an extremely small chance it’s an ACL injury, but will still need to be cleared.”

Whilst the Arsenal defender is yet to have a scan or any definitive prognosis, the Physio Scout has predicted the following timeframes depending on the severity of the knee injury.

Physio Scout stated: “Potential Recovery Times: Bone bruise/contusion: Less than a week, MCL grade 1: 1-3 weeks, MCL grade 2: 3-6 weeks.”

Fabrizio Romano has also claimed on his X account that the defender has already left the Italian camp and is returning to London to be assessed.

Arsenal matches Calafiori could miss with injury

Should the worst case scenario occur for the Gunners and Calafiori’s scan reveals an MCL grade 2 injury, the defender will be out of action for six weeks.

The potential return date would be the 2nd May, meaning Calafiori could potentially miss a total of eight games for Arteta’s side.

Myles Lewis-Skelly is currently the first choice left back for Arteta however, there has been some concerns over the youngster’s discipline this season.

There is also cover in Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko but neither have had the impact that Calafiori has had on the side this campaign.