Riccardo Calafiori has reportedly given Arsenal a major boost with his knee injury not claimed to be serious.
The Gunners star picked up a knock on Thursday night having landed awkwardly in Italy’s Nations League quarter-final first leg defeat to Germany.
Luciano Spalletti’s side were beaten 2-1 at the San Siro, with Calafiori’s injury adding to their woe.
Sandro Tonali opened the scoring for the hosts before goals from Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka turned the match around.
And in the final minutes of the clash, Calafiori picked up an issue which would have had fans fearing the worst.
As Germany came forward, the defender stepped forward in an attempt to intercept a pass.
However, his right leg slipped from underneath him, causing Calafiori to heavily fall to the floor and land on his knee.
The 22-year-old immediately appeared in some discomfort as he stayed down on the pitch.
After receiving treatment, though, he was able to continue and went on to play the full 90 minutes.
Calafiori has already two spells out this season with knee injuries, and having ruptured his ligaments as a 16-year-old at Roma, supporters took to social media to express fear he could miss the rest of the season ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final meeting with Real Madrid.
But in a boost, Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio has insisted that the youngster faces just two to three weeks on the sidelines.
It has been said that Calafiori has suffered a first-to-second-degree collateral injury.
As a result, he will now be heading back to Arsenal for further treatment and will play no part in Italy’s second leg in Germany.
With Arsenal to welcome Los Blancos to the Emirates for their first leg on April 8, it remains to be seen whether he will be available for that clash.
It means that Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly could start at left-back, where he will be tasked with keeping right winger Rodrgyo quiet.
Speaking immediately on Calafiori following the defeat to Germany, Italy boss Luciano Spalletti said: “We don’t know about Calafiori, his knee feels strange.
“But he can’t answer the question of what he feels. I can’t quite figure it out at the moment.
“Unfortunately his stud came off while he was trying to get back on the pass.”
Calafiori has become a firm fan favourite amongst Gooners since linking up from Serie A side Bologna last summer in a deal rising to £38million.
But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the player, who has had four spells on the sidelines due to knee, calf and muscle issues.
He has missed 14 games due to injuries – limiting him to just Premier League appearances.
