Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that winger Noni Madueke missed the Carabao Cup fourth-round loss at Fleetwood Town with an ankle injury.
The Gunners were ousted from the Cup competition on penalties (5-3) after a dismal 90 minutes (1-1) at Highbury Stadium.
The match saw Max Dowman pick up a straight red card, and this could leave Arsenal short of options on the right wing.
Bukayo Saka is out for several weeks with a quadriceps injury, and Arteta has now revealed that Madueke has a concern too.
Riccardo Calafiori was already doubtful for the game as he was carrying a niggle last weekend.
Alongside him, Madueke and Declan Rice were not fit enough to play yesterday. The former had an ankle issue, according to Arteta.
He told Arsenal.com: “No, Calafiori was out, Noni was out with an ankle, and Declan was feeling a problem the other day, which is why I had to substitute him.”
Madueke’s absence would be a huge blow for Arsenal
The Gunners had one of the worst moments in their history after a defeat to fourth-tier Fleetwood.
Arsenal squandered numerous clear-cut chances, and Kai Havertz was a major culprit.
The German simply failed to show up on the night, squandering at least four fantastic scoring opportunities.
It was undoubtedly his worst game in an Arsenal shirt, and he may have to step up as a right winger at Anfield on Sunday.
Madueke’s absence would be a huge blow for Arsenal, with Saka injured and Dowman currently suspended.
Yesterday’s debutant Ceadach O’Neill is an option on the right wing for the weekend’s league game at Liverpool.
However, Arteta is unlikely to trust a youngster with just one senior appearance on the right wing on Merseyside.
Among the makeshift options, Havertz could play in the role if Madueke is deemed unfit.
Hopefully, the Englishman, signed from Chelsea for £52 million, recovers in time to start against Andoni Iraola’s side.
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