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BREAKING Arsenal suffer injury blow as Noni Madueke forced off for England after heavy blow

Arsenal star Noni Madueke was forced off for England against Uruguay after suffering a heavy blow.

The Three Lions winger started on the right-wing but had to be replaced after 38 minutes when he was unable to recover from a hefty challenge. A few minutes earlier, Madueke was attempted to break into the box but was clattered by Rodrigo Aguirre. Half hearted appeals for a penalty were made by the play continued.

Madueke received treatment after the initial tackle but returned to his feet and attempted to continue. However, he went down again minutes later and was replaced by Jarrod Bowen. The scoreline remained 0-0 at half-time after a very uneventful first-half.

Noni Madueke

Noni Madueke suffered an injury for England

It's the latest in a series of injury setbacks for Mikel Arteta, with six players withdrawn from the recent international break.

Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard were all pulled out of their nations' squads. It's uncertain the severity of the injury, but Madueke seemed to be clutching his face as he departed the pitch.

The Gunners' star had been handed a chance to prove his worth ahead of the World Cup this summer in the United States. He was the sole Arsenal player selected in the starting XI, with team-mate Ben White named amongst the substitutes.

The likes of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were absent from the squad to face Uruguay, with Tuchel examining a host of different players in the final preparation match before this summer's tournament.

Arteta and Arsenal will be praying the injury to Madueke is not overly severe. He managed to walk off the pitch but headed straight down the tunnel.

Arsenal were defeated by title contenders Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, before the international break, but hold a nine-point advantage over Pep Guardiola's team in the Premier League.

Timber, Odegaard and Eze all sat out the cup final, with Arteta delivering an injury update on the trio before the match.

Regarding the former two players, he said: "They couldn't make it, so I think they will still be a couple of weeks. Let's see after the international break if we have anybody back." Regarding Eze, Arteta stated: "We have to do another scan in six or seven days and wait and see the results. It's a leg injury. His calf."

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