Riccardo Calafiori has sent a clear Arsenal message following the Premier League win over Manchester United. The Italy international was one of two key absentees for Mikel Arteta on Wednesday evening with Gabriel Magalhaes also missing.
The defensive duo both came off early in last weekend's victory against West Ham and the midweek clash with United clearly came to soon. In their absence, Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko were deployed and both fringe players put in a solid shift to help the Gunners pick up a clean sheet.
Arteta will be keen to have Calafiori and Gabriel back in his squad very soon however, with the Arsenal boss issuing an injury update on the duo after the game. "We will have to see over the next few days. Gabi was a big risk to play today because he felt something against West Ham. Sunday he's going to be a possibility."
On Calafiori, he added: "With Ricci, let's see how we reacts." With the Gunners back in action this Sunday away at Fulham, Arteta will hold a press conference on Friday where injury updates will likely be on the agenda, though it is unlikely he gives too much away.
In the game that Gabriel and Calafiori picked up their respective injuries, Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey were absent from the matchday squad entirely but both midfielders returned against Man United. Arteta will be hoping for another double injury return on Sunday, this time involving Gabriel and Calafiori.
Riccardo Calafiori on Instagram
Riccardo Calafiori on Instagram (Image: Riccardo Calafiori on Instagram)
Given the fact both players were pitch side after the victory and largely involved in the celebrations, it certainly suggests their issues are minor. With that in mind, Calafiori via Instagram stories, has posted a picture of himself and Bukayo Saka hugging at full-time and wrote: "Team [red heart emoji]."
Though they play on opposite flanks, it certainly appears that Calafiori has built a strong bond with Saka. The relationship between him and Gabriel Martinelli is also clear to see with the latter delivering his best performances when Calafiori is deployed at left-back which he will be hoping is the case at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
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