Arsenal are sweating on Noni Madueke’s fitness after the winger went off with a knee injury against Manchester City on Sunday. Madueke is set to undergo tests on Monday and it is hoped that the damage will not be severe enough to require a lengthy lay-off.
Arsenal have already lost Kai Havertz to a knee injury and were without Martin Ødegaard against City because of a shoulder injury. Bukayo Saka was also out for a month with a hamstring injury.
Madueke, who signed from Chelsea for £48.5m in the summer, was able to slot in on the right flank while Saka was out. Arsenal have added depth in attack after struggling with injuries last season but Arteta’s resources are already being tested. Saka made his return as a half-time substitute during the 1-1 draw with City, replacing Madueke. Arteta delivered an update after the game and said that Madueke “had an issue very early in the match and he wasn’t well enough to continue”.
Losing the 23-year-old for a lengthy period would put a sizeable dent in Arsenal’s title hopes. Madueke has made a fine start since joining from Chelsea and he impressed for England during the last international break, scoring in the national team’s 5-0 win over Serbia earlier this month.There is early optimism at Arsenal that he will make a swift return.
