Arsenal faces a big injury concern after Riccardo Calafiori was pulled off during Italy’s Nations League victory against France last night.

The defender, a £42 million summer arrival at the Emirates, suffered a freak injury to his ankle after Ousmane Dembele tackled him.

Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni won the ball from the winger but caught him on the follow-through, with Dembele’s flailing leg eventually connecting with Calafiori.

Calafiori played for just over an hour at the Parc des Princes before being evacuated by medics with the visitors ahead 3-1.

Michael Arteta’s teammates flocked around him as he appeared to be in pain on the field, which may have disturbed him.

 

Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori suffered an injury scare on international duty with Italy

 

Calafiori received a strange hit to his ankle during the 3-1 victory over France in Paris.

However, Italy manager Luciano Spalletti allayed fears that he would spend a long time on the treatment table, revealing that he could potentially return against Israel on Monday.

‘We need to analyze Riccardo, but with our staff, we have a strong chance of getting him back for the next game,’ Spalletti told reporters.

Calafiori has made two appearances for Arsenal since arriving from Serie A club Bologna, coming on as a second-half replacement against Aston Villa and Brighton.

Arsenal’s return from the international break will be against arch rivals Tottenham.

Declan Rice, the club’s midfield mainstay, will be absent due to suspension after being sent off last weekend in a peculiar incident.

Mikel Merino is also out with an injury incurred after his first training session.

 

Calafiori’s team-mates were visibly concerned and the full back was substituted off

 

The incident comes before Mikel Arteta’s side return to action against rivals Tottenham

Calafiori has made two appearances since joining Arsenal from Bologna for £42million.

Italy trailed after Bradley Barcola’s breakthrough in Paris last night, but fought to win 3-1, their first victory over France in the city in 70 years.

Incredibly, Barcola’s goal after only 14 seconds was the fastest allowed in Italian history, with the winger curling into the net following a clumsy defensive blunder.

Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, and Giacomo Raspadori scored for the Azzurri, who were eliminated from Euro 2024 in the round of 16 earlier this summer.