Arsenal have been hit with a fresh injury concern just days before their crucial Premier League encounter with high-flying Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.
Calafiori's Awkward Training Injury
Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is now a serious doubt for the match on Tuesday night after picking up a strange problem. Calafiori was originally selected to start against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday but was forced to withdraw during the warm-up after feeling discomfort from an incident in training the previous day.
"It's something that he felt yesterday, something very awkward that happened, and today in the warm-up he wasn’t comfortable," Arteta explained. The defender subsequently went straight down the tunnel for treatment and was replaced in the starting line-up by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Arteta on Growing Injury List and Team Spirit
The potential absence of Calafiori compounds Arsenal's defensive issues, with Jurrien Timber and Ben White also missing the victory over Brighton. Arteta described Timber's issue as landing awkwardly, while White's absence was another unexplained setback.
Despite the challenges, the Gunners' boss insisted the situation is helping to unite his squad. He highlighted the positive attitude of players like Declan Rice, who willingly adapted to an unfamiliar role when asked. "You speak to Declan and tell him he needs to play there as a right winger, and he said, ‘Okay, I'm up for a challenge, I'm going to do my best’," Arteta said.
Villa's Record Chase at the Emirates
The match takes on added significance as Unai Emery's Aston Villa arrive in North London aiming for a club-record 12th consecutive victory across all competitions. Their impressive form has them sitting just three points behind the Premier League leaders, making this a pivotal fixture in the title race.
Arsenal will be desperate to halt Villa's remarkable run and consolidate their own position at the summit, but they may have to do so without a key part of their defensive unit if Calafiori fails to recover in time.
