Arsenal anticipate being without Noni Madueke for six to eight weeks following the knee issue he picked up during the 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.
The 23-year-old attacker, brought in from Chelsea this summer, was withdrawn at the interval of the Premier League contest and has since undergone medical checks. Importantly, the injury is not considered to be a cruciate ligament problem.
Manager Mikel Arteta revealed that the player complained of discomfort early in the encounter but attempted to continue before the pain became unmanageable. “It looks like Noni is going to be out for a few weeks, but we don’t really know yet, we will have to scan him next week again,” said Arteta on Tuesday.
When asked directly about the possible timeline, he added: “We hope so. Like I said, we need to scan him again to see the extent of the injury but it doesn’t look too bad.”
Recovery period still uncertain
Medical staff were waiting for swelling to reduce before giving a final conclusion, but initial assessments suggest a minimum layoff of six weeks. That timeframe is seen as the most optimistic outcome.
If confirmed, the earliest return would be in November, leaving Madueke sidelined for several Premier League and Champions League fixtures.
The setback also prevents the forward from joining England’s upcoming matches with Wales and Latvia, and puts his participation in World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania next month in doubt.
Should he remain unavailable beyond the Sunderland game on 8 November, his comeback could be pencilled in for the north London derby against Tottenham on 23 November.
Impact on Arsenal’s plans
Arsenal play Port Vale in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday but must now adjust without one of their brightest summer additions.
The loss of Madueke is seen as a frustration for both Arteta and England coach Thomas Tuchel, given the player’s bright beginning to the season.
Arteta rejects ‘handbrake’ criticism
After the draw with City, Arteta faced questions regarding his approach, with Eberechi Eze left on the bench while Martin Odegaard was absent. Instead, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino formed the midfield.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher compared the Spaniard’s style to that of former Liverpool bosses Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez, suggesting Arsenal sometimes play with a “handbrake on.”
Arteta rejected that interpretation, pointing to the team’s performance: “Because it was impossible for somebody to predict such a dominance from Arsenal throughout 96 minutes, because it never happened in 17 years of Pep [Guardiola] as a manager.”
He continued, “Dominance and handbrake, they are two different words. But I accept everything. I will learn more to have a different vision.”