Mikel Arteta has perfect Riccardo Calafiori replacement for Liverpool amid Arsenal injury worry

It was a sight Arsenal supporters have seen a number of times already this season - one of their players going down injured.

Riccardo Calafiori had impressed both defensively and offensively at left-back against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday evening before he was taken off in the second half. Under the bright lights of Emirates Stadium, the Italian appeared to twist his knee which ultimately led to his substitution.

With Liverpool next up for the Gunners on Sunday, Calafiori's injury could not have come at a worse time. Speaking after the match, Arteta admitted he did not know the extent of the former Bologna man's injury.

"With Riccy he had to come off because he felt something," Arteta said. "I don’t know the extent of it but it’s not good news."

With Jurrien Timber out injured himself, it's possible Arteta will not have the Dutchman or Calafiori available for Sunday's Premier League clash against Arne Slot's side. With Mohamed Salah in sublime form for the Reds, that is not ideal at all.

Arteta does have Oleksandr Zinchenko available again, although the Ukrainian is not the best defensively. Jakub Kiwior can also play there but left-back is not his best position. Arteta may already know who he is going to call upon, though, and it's neither Zinchenko or Kiwior.

READ MORE: Arsenal dealt major Bukayo Saka injury blow for Liverpool with Mikel Arteta bombshell update

READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings vs Shakhtar Donetsk as Gabriel Martinelli shines but two players struggle

Myles Lewis-Skelly was the player who replaced Calafiori and the youngster looked comfortable in the 18 minutes he was on the pitch. Capable of inverting due to his technical ability and positional awareness, Lewis-Skelly could well be the answer for Arteta if Calafiori and Timber remain injured.

The only concern is the 18-year-old has only started one game for the Gunners this season, the 5-1 win over Bolton in the Carabao Cup. He did play left-back against the League One side and, again, impressed.

A midfielder by trade, Lewis-Skelly impressed Arteta and his coaching staff on the pre-season tour of America and has continued to train with the first team since. “He can play in three positions – basically as a left-back, he plays as six and as an eight. He is very versatile, he adapts from where he can occupy different spaces," Arteta said of the teenager ahead of the win against Bolton earlier this season.

“He is very adaptable, I think that’s the good thing about Myles. He is very intelligent, very thorough, he asks some unbelievable questions every time you ask him to do something and he has a competitive edge that I think is demanded at this level. And he really wants it. So, we’re going to use him in different positions.”

Arteta clearly believes in the teenager. That belief may result in a start against Liverpool on Sunday.

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