Arteta confirms Calafiori 'slight issue' forced late Everton switch
Mikel Arteta has confirmed Riccardo Calafiori may have picked up a knock in the closing stages of Arsenal's 2-0 Premier League win over Everton, with the Italian shifted from left back to left wing as Noni Madueke dropped in to cover.
Asked directly about the switch in his post match press conference, Arteta played down the severity of the issue but admitted it was enough to prompt the positional change. “Yeah I wasn't that mad to change those two from their positions,” Arteta said, as quoted by football.london. “It was because he had a slight issue, we don't know what it is, it seems to be something very small, but he was cautious about it.”
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Calafiori has established himself as a key part of Arteta's backline since his move from Bologna, and any fresh fitness concern will be monitored closely given Arsenal's packed schedule. The win over Everton came at the end of a gruelling run that saw the Gunners play Sunday afternoon, then away in Munich in the Champions League in midweek, before returning late on Thursday ahead of Saturday's 3pm kick off.
Gabriel fights through pain to score
Elsewhere, Arteta praised the reaction of Gabriel Magalhaes, who appeared to hurt himself during the match but played on and ultimately got on the scoresheet. “Gabi is a great example of that because we were all scared,” Arteta said. “Not because of the way he went down, but the reaction of the players that were next to him. Immediately he says that he wants to continue and then he scores a goal to help us win the game. That's what we need from our players.”
Both Gabriel and new signing Ezri Konsa found the net in the win, with Arteta hailing how quickly Konsa has settled into the side alongside his centre back partner. “He's gone to a huge club like Arsenal with no pre season,” Arteta said. “And to position yourself in that manner, with that naturality I would say, and performing at the level that he's doing and building already a chemistry and a balance with Gabi that seems so solid, it's very, very difficult to do and we are really lucky to have him.”
Saliba still sidelined
Arteta also gave an update on William Saliba's continued absence, confirming the defender remains unavailable. “William is not fit and we are desperate to have him back because we know what he offers,” he said, adding that he expects Kiliano Mosquera to offer similar qualities when called upon.
With Calafiori's issue described as minor and Saliba still working his way back, Arsenal's medical staff will have a busy few days monitoring both situations before the club's next fixture.
