Arsenal star Bukayo Saka was absent from the World Cup due to ongoing injury woes.
Riccardo Calafiori, an Arsenal defender, recently spoke about the pain he felt watching the World Cup from home.
Calafiori, a key figure for Italy, missed some matches during the qualifying campaign because of injury. Italy ultimately failed to secure their place at the tournament after Norway topped their group and Bosnia defeated them in the playoff.
The Arsenal defender reflected on Italy's disappointment, admitting that the pain of Italy's absence was so strong that he struggled to watch the matches whenever possible.
Several of his Arsenal teammates, including England's Bukayo Saka, featured in the tournament. Calafiori would have wanted to support them from home, but he was unable to due to his ongoing injury issues.
Calafiori understands the importance of returning the national team to major tournaments and expressed how difficult it was to see the competition continue without them.
Speaking via Hayters, Calafiori said, "I haven't watched a lot. I said from the beginning because obviously I have so much pain in my tummy not to qualify. It hurt how big it was. Even if you don't want to watch the World Cup, it's that big that everywhere you go you still see it on TV, every match."
This emotional impact is a stark reminder of the toll that ongoing injury woes can take on a player. As Saka and his teammates look to move forward and prepare for the next season, they will be hoping to avoid similar setbacks.
Saka's absence from the World Cup due to injury is a concern for Arsenal fans, who will be eager to see the young winger return to full fitness. With the new season just around the corner, Saka will be hoping to make a strong impact and help his team push for success.
Arsenal is currently on the lookout for new signings, and the club is rumored to be interested in Shakhtar Donetsk striker Mykhaylo Mudryk. As the transfer window continues to heat up, fans will be keeping a close eye on any developments.
For now, Saka's focus will be on his recovery and getting back to full fitness. With the World Cup over, the attention will now shift to the new season, and fans will be eagerly awaiting Saka's return to the pitch.
Source: Yahoo Sports
