Arsenal given Noni Madueke injury update as 'expert' reveals best and worst-case scenario

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Mikel Arteta could be without a few big names when Arsenal return to action at the weekend.

Arsenal have been given an update on Noni Madueke, who appeared to suffer a knee injury during England's clash against Uruguay. The 24-year-old winger was forced to come off during the first half of the friendly at Wembley Stadium on Friday night following a collision with Rodrigo Aguirre.

Madueke was replaced by Jarrod Bowen shortly before the break and he was later spotted walking through the mixed zone with a brace on his left leg. A self-proclaimed injury analyst, who goes by @physioscout on X, formerly known as Twitter, reviewed the incident and speculated the severity of the knock.

They wrote: "Noni Madueke had to come off early in the first-half in England's match vs. Uruguay with a knee injury. My worry is more so the landing than the initial contact with the Uruguay player.

"High velocity driving the knee into valgus force brings concern for an MCL injury. Knee brace usually indicated when instability is present. He'll need to wear a brace for a few weeks if confirmed to be a ligamentous injury.

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"Expected Recovery Time: Grade 1 MCL: 1-3 weeks. Grade 2 MCL: 4-6 weeks. Grade 3 MCL: 8+ weeks. Other possible diagnoses are a bony contusion and a lower-grade PCL injury here which usually facilitate a quick recovery.

"But more likely an MCL injury here. Further diagnostic tests will be needed to determine the extent of the injury."

As it stands, the severity of the injury remains unclear, with Madueke set to be assessed by Arsenal medical staff. Speaking to reporters after the game, Thomas Tuchel claimed he was 'very sad and upset' to see the Gunners winger suffer a knock.

"I’m worried, of course, because I think he was a difference-maker today," said the England boss. "He started well, he was full of energy, he was ready to go.

"And I think against a team like Uruguay, who relies on one-against-ones, to isolate them there and to go in one-against-ones from every minute out there, the spaces open up, and he could have been a key player for us, which he is. Very sad and upset, and hopefully it’s not a big injury."

Over the weekend, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka also withdrew from international duty. The Arsenal duo, who, along with nine others, joined Tuchel's side on Friday before leaving the camp for 'medical assessment'.

Rice and Saka joined a long list of players to have also been recalled by the Gunners this month. In the meantime, Mikel Arteta has been gearing up for the end-of-season run-in, which will get underway on Saturday, April 4, when Southampton host Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-final.