Arsenal winger Noni Madueke picked up a knee problem during the second half of the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium. The 22-year-old fell to the ground and required medical attention before it became clear he could not continue. He was seen hobbling off the pitch with the help of Arsenal's medical staff and was substituted by 16-year-old Max Dowman. Madueke later sat in the dugout before heading down the tunnel for further treatment.
The injury is a fresh blow for manager Mikel Arteta, who is already without Bukayo Saka due to an Achilles issue. Saka has not featured since before the international break, with Arteta revealing the problem had been bothering him for a while. Other absentees for the Sporting match included Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori, though Declan Rice was available again after recent fitness concerns.
Arsenal held a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Portugal and progressed to the semi-finals, where they will face Atletico Madrid, after a goalless draw on the night. However, with a crucial Premier League match against Manchester City at the Emirates this weekend, Madueke's potential absence adds to Arteta's selection worries. If both Madueke and Saka are unavailable, Arteta may turn to Dowman, ask Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli to play on the right, or deploy Gabriel Jesus in a role he previously held under Arteta at Manchester City.
