Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori 'leaves Italy camp after suffering knee injury'

Riccardo Calafiori is thought to have returned to Arsenal after suffering a knee injury while on international duty with Italy.

The Gunners defender landed awkwardly on his left knee after slipping in stoppage time during Italy's 2-1 Nations League quarter-final first leg defeat by Germany on Thursday.

Following further assessment, it has been reported that he will not be available for the return match in Dortmund on Sunday, and he has left the national team camp.

According to Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Italy's staff believe Calafiori has suffered between grade one and two collateral ligament damage to his knee, which could see him sidelined for 2-3 weeks.

This would mean he faces a race against time to be fit for Arsenal's Champions League quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid.

The first leg at the Emirates takes place on April 8, before Mikel Arteta's men play at the Bernabeu eight days later.

Calafiori has already spent four separate spells on the sidelines this season due to knocks.

The issue of his left knee is particularly sensitive after a devastating injury when he was 16 at Roma, where he ruptured all his ligaments in that knee and there were fears he would struggle to even walk.

His first-ever tattoo - 'never give up' - harks back to that period of his life.

Arsenal will hope Calafiori's setback is only a minor one, with Arteta already having to cope without a number of first-team stars.

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all ruled out for the rest of the season, while Raheem Sterling is suspended for the first leg against Real.

Bukayo Saka is targeting a return ahead of the clash with the Spanish giants, but he has not played since December after picking up a serious hamstring injury in a 5-1 win over Crystal Palace.