Riccardo Calafiori sent back to Arsenal after freak injury with Italy

Italy have released Riccardo Calafiori back to Arsenal after he sustained a leg injury.

The defender started in the Azzurri's 3-1 win away at France on Friday night, though had to be substituted in the second half having gone down in a bizarre collision.

Ousmane Dembele's studs raked the back of Calafiori's leg after the winger fell under a challenge from Alessandro Bastoni. Calafiori required treatment and even played on for a little while before the decision was made to withdraw him from the action.

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti was optimistic that the problem was minor and Calafiori would be available to face Israel on Monday, but the centre-back has been sent home from the international camp and will return to Arsenal's training base.

It is believed that this is a precautionary measure, even though Calafiori was not fit enough train with his Italy teammates this weekend.

Arsenal will be hopeful Calafiori's problem isn't too serious with a bumper fixture schedule looming over the horizon.

The Gunners return to Premier League action next Sunday with a trip across north London to rivals Tottenham Hotspur. This will be followed by journeys to Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League and then title rivals Manchester City.

Calafiori has made two appearances off the bench for Arsenal since his summer transfer from Bologna, featuring in the latter stages of their 2-0 win at Aston Villa and the last half an hour of their controversial 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. He is yet to make a start for Mikel Arteta's side.

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