Noni Madueke injury latest as Arsenal face nervous wait after Man City problem

Arsenal medical staff are conducting tests on Noni Madueke’s knee after the England international suffered discomfort in the closing stages of the first half against Manchester City.

The 23-year-old was substituted at half-time and replaced by the returning Bukayo Saka, who featured for the first time since suffering a hamstring strain sustained in the 5-0 demolition of Leeds last month.

Madueke was spotted limping just before the break and was flexing his right knee while wincing in the direction of the Arsenal bench.

But he was able to temporarily soldier on and appeared to be in visible pain after blocking a late first-half cross from Belgian winger Jeremy Doku.

Arsenal are now performing tests on Madueke to understand whether the summer signing has suffered any damage.

Madueke has been in fine form since swapping Stamford Bridge for the Emirates and while he is yet to find the target for the Gunners, he has featured in all six of their matches in all competitions to date.

He has started their past five games after coming off the bench at Old Trafford to mark his official debut in the 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Madueke also started both of England’s international matches earlier this month and found the target in the 5-0 demolition of Serbia in Belgrade.

Speaking after yesterday’s match, Mikel Arteta revealed Madueke picked up the problem ‘very early’ in the draw with City. Arsenal fought back to earn a point after Erling Haaland had opened the scoring at the Emirates.

Gabriel Martinelli made it two goals in as many matches from the bench as he netted in stoppage time to earn the Gunners a share of the spoils.

Arteta’s Premier League hopefuls now face a gruelling schedule before the next international break; first they travel to Port Vale in League Cup action before travelling to Tyneside to face Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Olympiacos are in town next Wednesday in Arsenal’s second Champions League group stage fixture before the Gunners host crisis-hit West Ham.

Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table behind leaders Liverpool following last month’s narrow 1-0 defeat at Anfield.

Ben White could return to the Arsenal fold on Wednesday against Port Vale while captain Martin Odegaard is targeting a comeback against Newcastle.

Piero Hincapie also missed the draw with City due to a fitness issue. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain long-term absentees but they are expected to fit before the end of the year with the German attacker currently anticipated to return in November.