Mikel Arteta said Riccardo Calafiori came off with what appears to be a minor problem during the closing minutes of Arsenal's 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton on Saturday, according to Football London. The Italian left-back finished the match playing further forward, with Noni Madueke dropping into his position at the back.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Arteta said the switch was not a tactical choice but a precaution, per Football London. He described the issue as seemingly very small and said the player was being careful about it, though the club does not yet know exactly what it is.
The win capped a demanding week for the champions, who played on Sunday afternoon, travelled to Munich for a Wednesday night fixture, returned late on Thursday and then faced Everton at 3pm on Saturday. Arteta told reporters he was pleased with the result, the performance and the way his squad handled what he called a terrible schedule, adding that the team had cleared every obstacle despite existing injuries.
Why it matters
Arsenal are already without Bukayo Saka and Christos, two players Arteta identified as major sources of threat in the final third, per Football London. A further concern over Calafiori would stretch the options on the left side of defence, where Madueke has been used in a more advanced role.
The manager also confirmed that William Saliba is not fit, though he said the team is eager to have the defender back and knows what he brings. Arteta pointed to the form of Ezri Konsa and Gabriel as a reason the situation is manageable, saying the pair have built a partnership that looks solid.
Gabriel provided one of the game's defining moments. Arteta said the defender went down and the reaction of nearby players caused alarm in the dugout, but Gabriel immediately signalled he wanted to carry on and then scored to help secure the win. The manager held him up as an example of the individual mentality he wants throughout the group.
Set-piece frustration and midfield movement
Both of Arsenal's centre-backs scored against Everton, yet Arteta said the team was disappointed not to have converted from a set-piece, a phase in which they had generated plenty of chances. He noted that Arsenal should have scored at least twice in Munich in midweek, suggesting those goals might have decided that match. According to Football London, he insisted the side will keep working until it is the best in every phase of play.
Arteta also praised Madueke's display on the right, saying his versatility is necessary given the absences in attack. He said the winger has the makings of an exceptional player if he keeps developing his mentality, desire and consistency from action to action.
On the first-half rotation among his midfielders, Arteta explained that the approach depends on the opponent. Everton are hard to break down when given clear reference points, he said, so Arsenal selected a particular midfield profile and the players adapted as the game opened up, finding the right spaces at the right moments. He added that those relationships should improve as the season goes on.
A yellow card Arteta did not see coming
Arteta also raised the subject of his own booking, which he appeared not to have been aware of, per Football London. He said he has to be careful and that the club needs good sensors on the bench, then referred to managers who have gone 36 matches without a yellow card despite leaving the touchline repeatedly. He joked that he has a large collection of images stored away in case anyone claims a record, before wondering aloud where his own tally of bookings is heading.
On the wider season, Arteta said the focus stays on what the team can control and that he is pleased with the vast majority of results and performances, with the Brighton game the exception.
Asked about Konsa's swift adaptation, Arteta called it unbelievable. He noted that the defender joined a huge club without a pre-season, arrived with Saliba already in place and other established players around him, yet settled in naturally and is performing at a high level while forming a balanced partnership with Gabriel. Arteta said the club is very lucky to have him.
He extended the praise to the way Arsenal develop and look after their defenders, saying Mosquera will show the same qualities when he plays because those players share something special.
Arsenal now turn to their next fixture with Calafiori's condition under assessment, and Arteta's touchline conduct will be worth watching given his own remarks about his card count.
