Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori limped off against Shakhtar Donetsk to add to Mikel Arteta’s injury woes.
The Italian had impressed at left-back before he appeared to twist his knee in the second half. After trying to carry on, the 22-year-old went down injured and was substituted for Myles Lewis-Skelly in the 72nd minute.
“With Riccy he had to come off because he felt something,” Arteta said after the match. “I don’t know the extent of it but it’s not good news.”
Calafiori is now a huge doubt for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at the weekend. Already without William Saliba due to suspension, Calafiori had been a contender to replace the centre-back against Arne Slot’s side.
With Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu also injured, it means Arteta is facing something of a defensive crisis going into the game against the Reds. So, if Calafiori is out with injury for a while, who should replace the former Bologna man? football.london‘s writers have their say, below!
Sam Truelove
In an ideal world Jurrien Timber would replace Calafiori as the Dutchman has impressed this season. Timber has not played since October 1, however, where he featured for 45 minutes against PSG. He has been out injured ever since and has not yet resumed training so, at this time, looks like he will also miss the game against Liverpool.
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I would be tempted to put Jakub Kiwior at left-back but with Saliba suspended, I think the Polish international will partner Gabriel at the heart of defence. That then leaves Oleksandr Zinchenko. The former Man City man has been out with a calf injury in recent weeks but was named in the squad to face Shakhtar, although he did not get on.
While Zinchenko has not had the best time against Mohamed Salah and Liverpool in recent years, the Ukrainian may be Arteta’s best bet considering the Gunners’ suspension and injury issues. Zinchenko will also offer attacking creativity, which may help Arsenal if they continue to be without Bukayo Saka.
Tom Canton
Arsenal have very little choice when it comes to the clash with Liverpool and my instinct would be if Jurrien Timber is fit to play him at left-back, move Ben White to William Saliba’s position and then bring in Thomas Partey to right-back. That said, there are no guarantees that Timber will be fit for the game either.
If the Dutchman is indeed not fit for the game, I think it might be time for go with a back three of some description. Gabriel Martinelli has shown the ability to play with great defensive work rate and would be on the far left and hopefully Bukayo Saka can return to play on the far right.
The middle three would be made up of White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jakub Kiwior. A midfield pairing of Partey and Declan Rice would then have Leandro Trossard ahead with both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in the forward line in a 3-4-1-2 formation… needs must.
Kieran Horn
The absence of Riccardo Calafiori against Liverpool will be a significant blow to Arteta that may require to him to rethink his entire strategy. As he has already shown, the Italy international is excellent in possession and capable of inverting while also overlapping when Arsenal attack.
If Jurrien Timber is also unable to make the clash, there is no obvious direct replacement. Oleksandr Zinchenko is perhaps the closest but he is yet to play any minutes since returning from injury and his defensive frailties are also concern especially as he would be up against Mohamed Salah.
The introduction of Myles Lewis-Skelly in place of Calafiori on Tuesday suggests it could be him but that would be quite the baptism of fire and quite the risk for Arteta to take. With that in mind, I think Jakub Kiwior should start at left-back in an attempt to ensure Salah stays quiet.
Of the options available, he is the most defensively sound and there is also a way his introduction to the starting XI can benefit Arsenal. With William Saliba suspended, Ben White would move to the centre of defence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes which would require Thomas Partey to fill in at right-back.
Jorginho, as he has proven on numerous occasions, is capable of anchoring the midfield with the Italy international supported by Declan Rice with either Leandro Trossard or Mikel Merino just in front.
Lee Wilmot
The easy choice, if he’s fit, is to play Jurrien Timber. But there’s no guarantees the Dutchman will be ready for the match against Liverpool either.
Whoever it is will be given a tough day by Mohamed Salah. Given the opponent and the nature of the game, I would go with the most experienced replacement and that’s Oleksandr Zinchenko.
He may not be up to his previous best, but he has the know-how and the experience. The left-field alternative would be to play Thomas Partey at right-back and shift Ben White over to the left. However, William Saliba’s suspension could mean White plays in the centre, not at full-back. Jakub Kiwior could play there too though and if he does, then White at left-back might not be the worst choice.
Just looking at the options, if Timber is not available, and you fear for Arsenal against Arne Slot’s side though.
