Arsenal rocked by Calafiori injury as Arteta confirms latest blow

Arsenal have been hit by a fresh injury concern with Riccardo Calafiori left in discomfort during the final knockings of their Premier League win over Everton. The Italian ended the game on the wing because of the issue with Noni Madueke moved to left-back by Arteta.

Calafiori had only been on the pitch for roughly 30 minutes when he started struggling, with the problem forcing him to go straight down the tunnel at full-time.

Speaking on the swapping of his two left-sided players and Calafiori's potential injury, Arteta said: "Yeah I wasn't that mad to change those two from their positions.

"It was because he [Calafiori] had a slight issue, we don't know what it is, it seems to be something very small, but he was cautious about it."

Arteta's update suggests that he has not picked up a muscular problem and he did take a heavy collision to the ribs before he started struggling. Myles Lewis-Skelly started the game ahead of Calafiori despite Arteta suggesting he could be in from the off for the third time in a week.

He said: "Yeah, he's ready. I think Ricci is in a different place because he had a full pre-season as well. And he's been available for every match. And Piero, he's trained with us and is available for tomorrow as well."

Earlier in the match, it appeared that a different defender had picked up a knock, with Gabriel Magalhaes seemingly jarring his knee. The Brazilian received medical attention and was seen grabbing at his groin and hamstring, but managed to play on.

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Just moments later, Gabriel doubled Arsenal's advantage after a superb cross to the back post from Ben White. Arteta commented on the incident: "We all [thought he would have to come off] by the reaction of his team-mates. It was a really worrying action. We know Gabi and how tough and strong he is - and he seems to be OK."

Fellow centre-back Ezri Konsa had earlier broken the deadlock for the Gunners, tapping in from close range following a corner that caused havoc in the box. Arteta rang the changes to his starting line-up, with Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes coming in for Mikel Merino and Viktor Gyokeres.

The latter had set up Declan Rice's goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League from the bench and was credited with the final touch before Konsa's opener.

Arteta will have further opportunity to shuffle his squad when Arsenal take on Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

Prior to the November international break, the Gunners face Liverpool and Hull City in the Premier League, with a trip to Slavia Prague in the Champions League sandwiched between those domestic fixtures.