Mikel Arteta revealed that Noni Madueke was “gutted” after suffering a knee injury during their Premier League clash against Manchester City.
The winger was substituted at half-time during Arsenal's 1-1 draw with City, as the Gunners rescued a point through a stoppage-time equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli.
Madueke is yet to register a direct goal involvement in six competitive matches for Arsenal, but has shown plenty of promise during Bukayo Saka’s time out due to a hamstring problem.
The England international is set to be out for “a few weeks”, seeing him miss the start of Arsenal’s EFL Cup campaign.
Reports of Madueke’s injury suggested he could miss up to two months of action, but when asked if it was a matter of weeks rather than months, Arteta responded: “We hope so.
“It looks like he's going to be out for a few weeks. We don't know yet, we're probably going to have to scan him next week again.
“He felt something at the beginning of the match, he tried to carry on, and at half-time, he was too sore, so let’s see.
“He was gutted, obviously. Very disappointing to see because he was in such a good state.
“He looked like a real threat; he was getting some consistency, some flow into the team and he looked like a real threat, so it's a big miss for us.”
Arsenal face Porto Vale in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
The Gunners have progressed from 17 of their last 18 EFL Cup ties against sides from the third or fourth tiers of English football, failing only in the 2012-13 quarter-final when they lost a penalty shootout to League Two Bradford City.
Port Vale have progressed from just one of 13 previous League Cup ties against top-flight opponents, beating Notts County via the away goals rule over two legs in the 1991-92 second round.
Arteta is set to make several changes from the side that faced City, with Kepa Arrizabalaga in line to make his competitive debut for the Gunners.
“Yes, it's a lot of players that are going to take part in that, and they fully deserve the minutes,” Arteta added.
“Kepa, for sure, is one of them. He's been with us, his attitude, the way he supports us in every aspect of his role in the best possible manner.
“All this as well, they deserve more minutes than what they're getting.”
Hiddlnprsy
0
does this guy even watch football?
so you blv everything you hear?
sujalpkl4
0
get well soon
resabekpst
1
probably a blessing in disguise bcuz thats the only way martinelli would have featured in that city game....saka will have competition wen madueke returns..speedy recovery mate
Saka is superior to Madueke. He is more versatile, scores and assists more. Madueke can rotate with Saka to rest him. Madueke is an out and out winger under Arteta. At Chelsea he played very similar to Saka. He was purchased for our left wng, Trossaud was up for sale and you can see why.
pezaceikn
0
Arteta is playing mind game, saka was meant to stay for more weeks even not to be part of squad against city but later his words didn't work.
does this guy even watch football?
pezaceikn
0
probably a blessing in disguise bcuz thats the only way martinelli would have featured in that city game....saka will have competition wen madueke returns..speedy recovery mate
Yohabi1
0
Madueke will definitely be missed. I don't know what's going on at Arsenal. It's like, every player is waiting for their turn to be injured. Mother luck has deserted Arsenal for a couple of years now. Maybe the club needs to organise prayer and fasting to break the curse of injury. Sad, very sad.
losdkoprty
0
arsenal and injury
BrotherGB1999
0
♥️
Mawbikruy
1
what's wrong with our medical self
keyabcdpst
0
fifa needs to investigate Chelsea their football director is a deadly weapon in business look at the way they offload players esp to arsenal peter Czech, jorginho, sterling, Kai haverts , nw madueke all useless players for very high prices imagine loaning out Jackson for $15 m ah Lord hev mercy this Chelsea club Is heartless
BayoJr10
2
Arteta is playing mind game, saka was meant to stay for more weeks even not to be part of squad against city but later his words didn't work.
Temadoyz
1
Don’t believe what arteta says
Faccimnry
3
Arsenal
Juccimpz
1
speed recorv