Arsenal face real setback ahead of Tottenham Hotspur

The upcoming North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham, sees Arsenal facing a potential setback as Centre Back and new summer signing of the Gunners, Riccardo Calafiori on international duty, sustained an injury.

The ill-luck results from a freak accident during Italy’s Nations League action against France.

The 22-year-old defender, who only joined Arsenal from Bologna for £42 million this summer, limped off after a bizarre collision with Ousmane Dembélé in Italy’s 3-1 victory. An unlucky landing by the French winger saw his studs sink into Calafiori’s calf, forcing the young star to leave the pitch despite initially trying to soldier on.

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As if losing one key player wasn’t enough, Arsenal will also be without midfield dynamo Declan Rice, who is suspended following his red card in the Gunners’ 1-1 draw against Brighton. Adding to Mikel Arteta’s woes, recent signing Mikel Merino has been sidelined after a freak training ground accident left him with a shoulder injury, described by Arteta as a “small fracture.”

With Tottenham breathing down their necks, Arsenal’s hopes of maintaining momentum in the Premier League may hinge on how fast their injury-hit squad can recover. Can the Gunners bounce back and avoid a derby disaster?