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Noni Madueke's initial months as an Arsenal player have been quite a rollercoaster. Despite some fans protesting his transfer from Chelsea, Madueke quickly proved himself as the team's top attacker before an unfortunate injury abruptly halted his impressive start.
The England winger managed to win over the hearts of his new club's supporters, including those who initially objected to Arsenal signing more players from rivals Chelsea, with his thrilling performances. Madueke's speed, direct approach and ability to deliver crosses into the box with either foot have seen him become Arsenal's main attacking threat in the early stages of the season, as it battles Liverpool at the top of the table.
Despite not having any goals or assists to his name in six appearances across the Premier League and Champions League, it seems more like an anomaly. With Bukayo Saka sidelined due to injury, Madueke stepped up as the creative force on Arsenal's right wing, regularly terrorising full-backs and posing a constant threat.
His expected assists tally of just 0.73 suggests more of a lack of understanding with Viktor Gyokeres and his other new Arsenal colleagues than a lack of effort.
Therefore, the news that Madueke will be out for approximately two months with a knee injury is a clear setback for Mikel Arteta. Madueke was taken off at half-time during the 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the weekend, with Saka coming on, and Arteta had to justify the decision post-match, given the surprise among fans.
The Gunners' gaffer, Mikel Arteta, is now faced with the task of reshuffling his team. Saka is back in action, but Arteta was without the services of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard against City.
He chose to field Madueke and Leandro Trossard on Sunday, with Saka, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri making appearances from the bench.
Martinelli, having scored in two consecutive games coming off the bench, is undoubtedly pushing for a starting position. Meanwhile, fans expressed their frustration over Eze's absence in the first half, feeling that a midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino was playing it too safe.
Jamie Carragher, speaking before the match, didn't hold back his opinion. "I think Arsenal has the best squad in the country, I do believe that," he confidently declared on Sky Sports.
"Let's not forget that Odegaard, Havertz and Jesus are out injured. That bench is as good as the team on the pitch."
Not everyone shares this sentiment, but Arteta now has to prove he can steer the ship through the next few months without Madueke. The return of Saka couldn't be more timely, and Martinelli's impact against Athletic Club and City on the opposite flank cannot be overlooked.
Trossard is expected to revert to his "finisher" role on the bench for the challenging trip to Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday. However, after being accused of playing it safe against City, the Carabao Cup tie against Port Vale on Wednesday presents an opportunity for Arteta to experiment.
Nwaneri is likely to be in the starting lineup against the team currently 19th in League One, and fans are eager to see more of 15 year old Max Dowman. A win against Port Vale is anticipated, but a match at St James' Park presents a different challenge altogether – it's precisely the type of fixture where Arteta has been known to play it safe.
Eze, who set up Martinelli's 93rd-minute equaliser with a lofted pass after coming on as a substitute against City, played centrally. Gyokeres will undoubtedly be hoping for more opportunities, having found them scarce against City's deep defence.
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