Arsenal have been handed a fresh injury concern after Riccardo Calafiori experienced discomfort during their 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton on Saturday, October 24.

Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed after the match that the Italian defender had developed what he described as a “slight issue” during the closing stages. However, the Spaniard offered some reassurance by suggesting that the problem appeared minor.

“We don’t know what it is. It seems to be something very small,” Arteta said, explaining why the club had adjusted its defensive setup late in the game.

Calafiori started the match on the bench before coming on around the hour mark. He appeared uncomfortable towards the end and was moved into a more advanced position, allowing Noni Madueke to cover at left-back.

The defender headed straight down the tunnel after the final whistle, raising questions about his fitness ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures.

The exact nature of the problem remains unclear. Calafiori reportedly took a heavy blow to the ribs during a challenge, although it has not been confirmed whether that incident caused his discomfort.

Arsenal will hope the issue does not develop into a serious injury, particularly with a demanding schedule approaching. The Gunners are preparing for a Carabao Cup fourth-round meeting with Fleetwood Town before returning to Premier League action.

They also have a Champions League fixture against Slavia Prague during a busy period that includes a league meeting with Liverpool.

Calafiori’s availability would provide Arteta with another option in defence as he manages his squad through several competitions.

The Arsenal manager has already faced the challenge of rotating players to cope with a demanding run of matches. Any additional absence could require further adjustments to his defensive line.

For now, supporters will have to wait for further medical assessments before drawing conclusions about the defender’s recovery time.

Arteta’s initial comments suggest that Arsenal are not yet treating the problem as a major setback. However, the club will need to establish the cause of the discomfort before determining whether Calafiori can feature in the next match.