Riccardo Calafiori is unavailable for Arsenal’s FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
Calafiori, 22, is missing with a muscular issue as Myles Lewis-Skelly starts again at left-back. The summer signing was an unused substitute for the League Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United midweek. However, he is not involved in this match against Manchester United.
A knee injury kept Calafiori out for much of December before he returned in the cup quarter-final with Crystal Palace. Four matches later, the Italy international is again nursing a problem that prevents him from playing in the FA Cup for the first time.
Calafiori has now missed 13 matches through injury this season for the Gunners. Another knee issue kept the defender out during late October and much of November, with calf problems previously afflicting the player in September.
He has, though, made 16 appearances across all competitions. Lewis-Skelly’s emergence has also helped offset his absence, with the teenager making his 14th first-team outing against Man United.
The back four remains unchanged, though, with David Raya in goal rather than Neto. Jorginho partners Mikel Merino in front of them, with Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard making up the four furthermost forward players.
