Mikel Arteta gives Riccardo Calafiori injury update | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori will not be available for Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round tie at Portsmouth, with the defender still short of a return following the injury he suffered just after Christmas.

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Speaking ahead of the trip to Fratton Park, Arteta ruled out the Italian although there are suggestions that his absence may not extend much further into January.

Calafiori has not featured since pulling up during the warm-up against Brighton, an issue that has kept him sidelined for games against Villa, Bournemouth and Liverpool. There is still no word on what the injury is, specifically, however the Italian media reported earlier this week that it is muscular.

Asked whether the 23-year-old could be involved this weekend, Arteta was clear. “I don’t think so. I think that game is going to be too early for him,” he said.

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Arteta was more upbeat when discussing Kai Havertz, who is edging closer to a competitive return after a prolonged absence.

There was also no fresh update on Piero Hincapié, who was forced off during the second half of the Premier League match against Liverpool with what appeared to be a hamstring issue.

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The Ecuadorian is undergoing further tests, with Arsenal still trying to determine the extent of the problem.