Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Noni Madueke.placeholder image
Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Noni Madueke. | Getty Images
Mikel Arteta’s injury update on one Arsenal forward comes as a boost after a longer term lay-off had been feared.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the injury sustained by winger Noni Madueke, which had prematurely forced the England international out of the international break.
The 24-year-old managed 38 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay last week, picking up a knee injury in that friendly. Madueke could be seen leaving Wembley Stadium with a brace on his left leg in worrying signs for the Gunners.
The former Chelsea man had only started one of Arsenal’s previous four Premier League matches but remains a player highly valued by Arteta ahead of the run-in. The Gunners boss had heaped praise on Madueke in January after he stepped into the XI against Leeds United following an injury to Bukayo Saka.
Arteta said: “[Noni] was certainly ready. The way he prepares every day is fantastic, and he made a difference for the team.
“You talk about the strikers and their goals, but the work rate and the strength that they showed today, again both the starters and the finishers. When you talk about that combination, how we share the minutes and the impact that each player can have in his role, I think it was the perfect example today.”
Noni Madueke injury update
It’s therefore welcome news that the knee injury picked up while away from England is not thought to be a serious one. Speaking ahead of Saturday night’s FA Cup visit to Southampton, Arteta said: “It looked really bad. Noni was really worried, especially after what happened in his other knee a few weeks out and he was out for six weeks. But no, it’s nowhere near that injury. That was really good news.”
The Arsenal manager went on to put a timeframe of ‘a few days’ on the player’s recovery. That could see Madueke miss out at the St Mary’s Stadium but a return to the squad in time to face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday night appears likely.
Madueke has three goals and an assist in the competition so far this term, bagging a brace against Club Brugge in the Group Stage. He was also on target against Bayern Munich and set up the Gunners’ goal in the 1-1 draw against Bayern Leverkusen in Germany.
In other news, Arsenal decide to axe 11-goal player and bidding opens at £50m.
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