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Calafiori Injury in Champions League Adds to Arsenal’s Mounting Concerns Ahead of Liverpool Match

Arsenal's Italian defender #33 Riccardo Calafiori controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium in north London on October 22, 2024. (AFP)
Arsenal's Italian defender #33 Riccardo Calafiori controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium in north London on October 22, 2024. (AFP)
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Calafiori Injury in Champions League Adds to Arsenal’s Mounting Concerns Ahead of Liverpool Match

Arsenal's Italian defender #33 Riccardo Calafiori controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium in north London on October 22, 2024. (AFP)
Arsenal's Italian defender #33 Riccardo Calafiori controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium in north London on October 22, 2024. (AFP)

Arsenal’s problems are mounting ahead of a huge Premier League game against Liverpool at the weekend.

With key attacking players Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka and defender Jurrien Timber already on the injury list, Arsenal saw left back Riccardo Calafiori go off in the second half of the 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday after twisting his right knee.

“He felt something, he could not continue playing,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said of the Italy defender. “Bit of a worry.”

Center back William Saliba also is sure to miss the Liverpool game because he is suspended after a red card in the loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.

While Odegaard, Arsenal’s captain, is almost certain to be absent as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury sustained last month, less was known about the status of Saka after the winger appeared to hurt his hamstring on England duty last week.

Saka didn’t play at Bournemouth or against Shakhtar, and Arteta wasn’t too positive about the winger’s chances of making the Liverpool game on Sunday.

“He wasn’t able to train yet, so that’s unlikely,” Arteta said.

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Al-Sadd Clinches Asian Champions League Playoffs Spot after Beating Al-Nassr

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer
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Al-Sadd Clinches Asian Champions League Playoffs Spot after Beating Al-Nassr

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer

Cristiano Ronaldo was absent when Al-Nassr lost for the first time in the AFC Champions League Elite, to Al-Sadd of Qatar 2-1 on Monday.

Al-Nassr was already guaranteed a place in the round of 16 so Ronaldo, who has five goals in his last three matches, was rested. He watched from the sidelines, The Associated Press reported.
Al-Sadd took the lead through Akram Afif, named the Asian player of the year in November, eight minutes after the break.
While Sadio Mane and Anderson Talisca went close for Al-Nassr, an own goal from close range by Romain Saiss made it 1-1 with 10 minutes remaining.
However, Afif was brought down in the area and, in the ninth minute of added time, Algeria’s Adam Ounas converted the penalty.
The win ensured 2011 champion Al-Sadd booked a place in the round of 16, moving into fourth in the 12-team group, a point behind Al-Nassr in third. The top eight from each of the two groups progress to the knockout stage.
“It was a tough and close game,” Al-Sadd coach Felix Sanchez said. “We worked hard to stop Al-Nassr having the ball, and to win at their home stadium. The players showed their character.”
Al-Ahli was first in the group after the Saudi Arabian side was held by Esteghlal of Iran to 2-2.
Ivan Toney scored both goals for the host in Jeddah. Raphael Silva opened the scoring for the Tehran team after 42 minutes but Toney made it 1-1 just before the break from the spot.
Mohammad Hossein Eslami restored Esteghlal’s lead six minutes after the restart but Toney scored his second penalty four minutes from the end, a fourth goal in Asia for the England striker in the space of a week.
Elsewhere, Persepolis of Iran beat Al-Shorta of Iraq 2-1, while Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates drew with Al-Rayyan of Qatar 1-1.