Arsenal's Injury Woes: Arteta Provides Update on White and Calafiori Ahead of PSG Clash
As Arsenal prepare to face off against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of two key players - Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori. Both players have been dealing with injuries, and their availability for the crucial European clash is uncertain.Navigating Arsenal's Injury Challenges Ahead of the PSG Showdown
Ben White's Groin Concern
Arsenal's defensive solidity has been a crucial aspect of their impressive start to the season, and the absence of Ben White has been felt in their recent matches. The England international has missed the Gunners' last two fixtures against Bolton Wanderers and Leicester City due to a groin problem. Arteta has confirmed that White's fitness is still in question, and the team will have to assess his condition ahead of the PSG clash.White's presence in the backline has been instrumental in Arsenal's success, and his potential absence could be a significant blow to their chances against the French champions. The Gunners will be hoping that the defender can recover in time to bolster their defensive unit and provide the necessary stability at the back.Calafiori's Knee Injury Scare
In addition to the concern over White's fitness, Arsenal also faces uncertainty regarding the availability of Riccardo Calafiori. The young Italian defender, who joined the club on loan from Roma, appeared to sustain a knee injury during the closing moments of the 4-2 victory over Leicester City on Saturday.Calafiori was seen flexing his knee joint during the celebrations of Leandro Trossard's late strike, and he was reportedly in tears as he exited the Emirates Stadium. Arteta has acknowledged the situation, stating that the team will have to assess Calafiori's condition on the day of the training session.The potential loss of Calafiori would be a further blow to Arsenal's defensive depth, as the club is already without the services of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney. The Gunners will be hoping that the injury to the young Italian is not as serious as initially feared, and that he can be available for the crucial Champions League encounter.Arsenal's Mounting Injury Concerns
In addition to the doubts surrounding White and Calafiori, Arsenal will also be without several other key players for the PSG match. Captain Martin Odegaard, midfielder Mikel Merino, and defenders Zinchenko, Tomiyasu, and Tierney have all been ruled out of the Champions League clash.The absence of these players will undoubtedly test the depth and resilience of Arteta's squad, as they look to secure a positive result against the star-studded Parisian side. The Gunners will need to find creative solutions and rely on their remaining fit players to step up and deliver a performance that can keep their European aspirations on track.As Arsenal navigate these injury challenges, the focus will be on ensuring that the available players are fully prepared and ready to rise to the occasion. The team's ability to adapt and overcome these obstacles will be crucial in their quest to secure a positive outcome against PSG and maintain their momentum in the early stages of the season.