Arsenal injury scare as new signing Calafiori hobbles off for Italy after freak collision with France ace Dembele
ARSENAL star Riccardo Calafiori appeared to have picked up an injury after a freak collision during a Nations League clash.
Calafiori, 22, linked up with Italy for Friday’s crunch clash against France at Parc des Princes.
The centre-back returned to international duty following some impressive performances at Euro 2024, which led to his £42million move to the Emirates from Bologna this summer.
However, the North Londoners will be biting their nails after the Italy international hobbled off the pitch on 71 minutes.
It all started after a clash between Calafiori’s team-mate Alessandro Bastoni and France star Ousmane Dembele in the 66th minute.
Inter Milan ace Bastoni tackled PSG’s Dembele and sent him flying in the air.
And as he landed, the forward’s left foot made contact with Calafiori’s left leg as he caught him in the back of the knee, studs first.
The Arsenal star may have turned his ankle slightly but still tried to power through, however he was substituted by Alessandro Buongiorno five minutes later.
Calafiori needed time to get match ready after joining Mikel Arteta’s side in July.
The defender was on the bench for the Premier League opener against Wolves last month.
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However, the ex-Roma ace made his debut as a sub at Aston Villa a week later.
Calafiori also came on for last week’s draw against Brighton, where he made his Emirates bow.
Italy scored twice in the second half to come from behind and beat France in the first game of the Nations League in Group A.
It did not take long for France to take the lead when Bradley Barcola smashed home inside 13 seconds.
But Italy pulled level after Federico Dimarco played a neat one-two with Sandro Tonali and aimed a ruthless volley into the top corner.
Italy turned the game on its head in the 51st minute courtesy of Davide Frattesi.
And the visitors sealed a stunning turnaround victory when Destiny Udogie played in Giacomo Raspadori, who stabbed beyond Mike Maignan to register three points.