Mikel Arteta receives encouraging news about Riccardo Calafiori’s injury following the doctor’s recent assessment…

Mikel Arteta is presented with a hopeful outlook on Riccardo Calafiori’s injury following the latest update from the medical team.

Arsenal has received an unexpectedly encouraging update regarding Riccardo Calafiori’s injury after he was substituted due to a knee problem during the Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Mikel Arteta is already facing multiple injury challenges, and Calafiori’s situation adds to the uncertainty.

Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber were unavailable for Tuesday’s match, and club captain Martin Odegaard was also sidelined due to an ankle injury.

In light of these absences and the new concern regarding Calafiori, Arteta provided a prompt injury update following the game against Shakhtar.

“I don’t think Martin will be fit to face Liverpool. He is frustrated and eager to return, but hopefully, this time away will offer him valuable lessons.

Riccardo had to come off because he felt something, and while I cannot assess the severity, it’s not encouraging news.

“Currently, I’m not very optimistic. We still have a few days to evaluate.

“Saka hasn’t been able to train, so it seems unlikely he will play against Liverpool.”

Given Arteta’s recent remarks about Saka and the absence of both him and Timber from open training on Monday, their participation appears doubtful.

As for Calafiori, considering the nature of his fall, it seems improbable that he would be available just five days later.

However, Dr. Rajpal Brar, a physical therapy expert, has offered some optimism regarding the potential extent of Calafiori’s injury.

After reviewing the incident that caused the injury, he stated: “Injuries to the MCL or meniscus can vary from days to weeks to months, depending on their severity.

Based on the angle of the fall, I would be surprised if it were something severe, but there remains a lot of uncertainty.”

Initial hands-on assessments appeared to yield negative results, and he exhibited no issues with his gait.

Upon returning and subsequently going back down, he was making contact with the medial/inner side of his right knee.

This could indicate a potential concern, or the physiotherapist may have advised him to lower himself if he experienced any discomfort, which is not unusual.

There was no noticeable limp as he walked off the field. The club plans to conduct imaging (MRI) to determine the full extent of the situation, but early observations will focus on how the knee reacts after the match, particularly tonight and tomorrow morning in terms of swelling, pain, and functionality.

For the time being, it is a matter of monitoring the situation. Given the uncertainty, it is improbable that Calafiori will be put at risk unless the scan results are entirely clear and he is fit to train before the weekend.