Why Arsenal could drop Calafiori for UCL semis vs. Atletico Madrid
Italy international Riccardo Calafiori is not expected to start for Arsenal in the Champions League semifinal second leg against Atletico Madrid tonight, as Mikel Arteta ‘could be tempted by the added security of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.’
Arteta to drop Calafiori for Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid?
Calafiori’s Arsenal host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals at the Emirates Stadium in London tonight.
The first leg played in Madrid last week ended in a 1-1 draw.
Calafiori returned to action after nearly a month last weekend, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over Fulham.
The Italian defender is eligible for tonight’s fixture, and even though Standard.co.uk admits the ex-Roma and Bologna defender ‘looked sharp’ in his latest outing, Arteta ‘could be tempted by the added security of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.’
Calafiori has scored one goal and provided three assists in 32 appearances across all competitions with Arsenal this term.
He is in his second season at the Emirates Stadium, where his contract expires in June 2029.