Former Gunner’s injury gives boost to Arsenal 23yo’s World Cup hopes | OneFootball

Former Arsenal defender Dan Ballard has had to withdraw from the March international break, meaning he’ll miss a vital World Cup qualifier against Italy and Riccardo Calafiori.

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Paul Gilmour reports for the BBC that former Arsenal academy defender Dan Ballard will miss Northern Ireland’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy on Thursday with a hamstring injury.

Gilmour adds that it’s unclear whether Ballard could be fit for a potential play-off final, which would be against Wales of Bosnia & Herzegovina if Northern Ireland can make it past Italy.

Ballard had initially been included in Northern Ireland’s squad, as manager Michael O’Neill didn’t know the extent of the injury at the time. But he’s definitely now going to miss the semi-final.

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Ballard is a big miss for Northern Ireland, as he’s a consistent starter whenever he’s fit and available for his country. For the last two years, he’s started every single game when he wasn’t injured or suspended, notching 12 starts over that period.

But as harmful as Ballard’s absence might be for Northern Ireland, it gives their opponents Italy a boost.

Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori has been called up by Italy for the March break, and he’ll now hope they can eliminate Northern Ireland from contention before beating Wales or Bosnia & Hergovina in the final to make the summer World Cup.

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Calafiori isn’t the only Arsenal player involved in this week’s qualifiers, as Viktor Gyokeres will be taking part with Sweden, and Christian Norgaard has been called up by Denmark.

Sweden will face Ukraine and then potentially Poland or Albania, whilst Denmark play North Macedonia and then potentially the Czech Republic or Ireland.

Arsenal loanee Jakub Kiwior has been called up by Poland, so he could face off against Gyokeres in a possible final. Other than that, the Arsenal players have all been kept apart for these qualifiers.