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Arsenal fans reacted to new signing Riccardo Calafiori's potential injury in Italy's UEFA Nations League game against France on Friday. The defender arrived from Serie A side Bologna for a reported €45 million in the summer to bolster the team and has made two appearances.
Calafiori was taken off for the Azzurri in the 71st minute after he looked to have picked up a knock in his sixth appearance for the national team. Italy secured a 3-1 victory over France, their first win over their neighbours in a competitive game since the 2006 FIFA World Cup final.
His withdrawal has sparked panic among fans on X (formerly Twitter), with one posting:
"Calafiori out with an injury same place he had surgery. We are doomed gooners!"
Another panicked post read:
"Calafiori, injured adding to my annoyance this week."
A fan despaired for the team's season following the defender's setback posted:
"Ricardo calafiori is out from calf injury. It’s looking bad for Arsenal now"
Another fan rehashed the event in a post.
"Riccardo Calafiori has been subbed off after suffering an injury against France.Man I hate international breaks."
"Calafiori injured!?!? Yeah bin this season. We're cursed," another fan said.
Arsenal will wait for a proper prognosis on the duration of the injury. Mikel Arteta and the Gooner faithful will hope he is not sidelined for a long time, with the North London side keen to finally dethrone Manchester City this season after coming close in the two previous campaigns.
Arsenal captain eases injury concerns
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard eased any injury concerns before Norway's UEFA Nations League game against Kazakhstan. The midfielder was withdrawn early in the English Premier League game against Brighton and Hove Albion after receiving treatment multiple times in the 1-1 draw.
In the pre-game press conference, the midfielder said (via the Arseblog):
“I feel good. I took a couple of knocks in the match [against Brighton], but feel better now. Yesterday I trained as normal without any problems and I am ready for the match.”
The midfielder is a key part of how his club and country play, featuring regularly for both in recent years. He has made 156 appearances for his club, scoring 35, assisting 25 while making 59 appearances and scoring three, setting up 11 for his country.
