Riccardo Calafiori leaves Italy camp after freak injury against France with £42m defender set to be assessed by Arsenal medical team

The Italian defender, who joined the Gunners for £42 million ($54.3m) from Bologna this summer, suffered a freak injury during Italy's recent Nations League clash against France. It all started when Alessandro Bastoni won back possession from Ousmane Dembele with a crunching tackle. While Bastoni’s challenge on the French winger was fair, Dembele lost balance and his leg hit Calafiori in the back of his calf. The Gunners star collapsed on the ground in agony and was soon stretchered off the pitch.

There were concerns over the new Gunners signing suffering a long-term injury, however, Italy boss Luciano Spalletti confirmed after the game that the injury was not serious. Calafiori will not be risked for the rest of the current international break, though, and is on his way back to Arsenal for a medical evaluation.

The Athletic reports that Calafiori has left the Italy squad ahead of their clash against Israel on Monday. Arsenal fans will hope that the 22-year-old makes a swift recovery, having seen him produce encouraging substitute performances against Aston Villa and Brighton in his first two Premier League outings.

It remains to be seen if Calafiori will return to full fitness in time for Arsenal's next Premier League outing. Mikel Arteta's side are due to face arch-rivals Tottenham in the first north London derby of the season next Sunday.