Mikel Arteta confirmed in his post-match press conference that Riccardo Calafiori suffered an injury during Arsenal’s narrow win at West Ham at the London Stadium
Riccardo Calafiori has issued a message on social media after Mikel Arteta confirmed the Arsenal left-back sustained an injury in Sunday’s 1-0 win at West Ham.
Calafiori started the match but was substituted at half-time. Cristhian Mosquera came on in his absence, with Myles Lewis-Skelly shifting across to left-back.
Gary Neville said on co-commentary that Calafiori wasn’t injured, with Arteta wanting to move Declan Rice back into midfield after moving him to right-back.
However, Arteta revealed post-match that Calafiori was, in fact, substituted due to an injury he sustained. “We had to make another change with Richy,” Arteta said.
There was no update on how serious that issue is but that is a concern considering Calafiori’s injury record, with the Italian missing 13 matches this season.
Calafiori did, however, send a message to the Arsenal supporters following his side’s win at West Ham. In an Instagram story alongside him playing, Calafiori said: “Let’s gooo [red love heart emoji].” He then shared a post from Arsenal showing celebrations after the win.
Leandro Trossard scored the winner for the Gunners at the London Stadium, slotting home in the 83rd minute to extend the Gunners’ lead at the top of the Premier League to five points.
However, there was a controversial moment when Arsenal were attempting to see out the game, as West Ham thought they equalised through Callum Wilson, only for the goal to be ruled out. VAR and referee Chris Kavanagh judged that goalkeeper David Raya was fouled in the build-up.
Reflecting on the game, Arsenal head coach Arteta said: “What a moment, what an afternoon, what a week it’s been for us, so full of emotions. I cannot praise enough the attitude, the desire, the courage and the quality of the team shown throughout this week because there was so much at stake and today we knew against a team that is fighting for their life against a club has an incredible history, how tough it was going to be.
“I think we started the game so well, we created three big chances to go in front and we didn’t manage to do that, so we have to keep our heads cool.
“Then we have the Ben White injury, we have to make an adjustment there. After then at half-time we had to make another one with Richy’s injury. After that, I said at half-time to the boys, we’re really going to go for it, so be ready because if the game is not panning out in the manner that we have to, we’re going to have to change it. And the finishers made a difference. Martin came in and had an incredible impact on the game with an action that leaves Leo in a top position to score the goal, and after that there are two moments.
“One is David’s save, one against one, which is the story of the season again. And the other one, it’s in the most chaotic circumstances when two teams are playing for their lives.”
Next up for Arsenal is the visit of Burnley. Depending on the result of Manchester City’s game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, the Gunners could win the league next Monday.
