Mikel Arteta provides immediate Riccardo Calafiori injury update after Newcastle fixture

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Mikel Arteta has issued an update on Riccardo Calafiori after the Italian defender was forced off through injury against Newcastle United.

Arsenal win again in pre-season. After emerging victorious against AC Milan, the Gunners have now beaten Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side.

They came back from 1-0 down in the first half, thanks to a Mikel Merino strike and an own-goal. Newcastle then drew level through Jacob Murphy, before young Max Dowman won a penalty for Martin Odegaard to convert.

But it wasn’t all celebratory. Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori was forced off with an injury. The boss has now provided an update on this.

Riccardo Calafiori injury update

The Spaniard was asked about the extent of Calafiori’s injury at full-time. Mikel Arteta said: “He felt something. A little tweak. I don’t know how big it is.”

Calafiori has been very unlucky with injuries at Arsenal, which is so frustrating for supporters, as when fit, he’s an absolute brute of a defender.

The medical team will now once again assess the Italian – but this is becoming a regular occurrence at the Emirates.

Riccardo Calafiori injury history

The 23-year-old’s injuries are becoming a bit of a concern. With today’s knock, he’s now had seven at Arsenal alone.

Arsenal signed Calafiori from Bologna in late July 2024, paying an initial fee of around £33.6 million, with add‑ons potentially raising the total to £42 million. This is a fee that, with every injury, looks worse and worse.

How serious this one is remains to be seen – but not promising signs for Arteta, or Calafiori.