Arsenal face Noni Madueke injury wait after England draw with Uruguay
Arsenal are awaiting a medical update on Noni Madueke after the winger sustained a worrying knee injury during England’s 1-1 friendly draw against Uruguay at Wembley on Friday.
The 24-year-old was forced off late in the first half following a heavy collision with opposition striker Rodrigo Aguirre.
Fears over the severity of the issue escalated when the dynamic forward was later seen leaving the stadium wearing a protective brace on his left leg.
Tuchel expresses concern over key attacker
National team manager Thomas Tuchel admitted his anxiety regarding the fitness of the talented attacker ahead of Tuesday’s final pre-World Cup warm-up match against Japan.
“I’m worried, of course,” Tuchel stated following the stalemate.
“Very sad and upset and hopefully it’s not a big injury. He started well, he was full of energy, he was ready to go.”
“Against a team like Uruguay, who rely on one-against-ones to isolate them, he makes the spaces open up and he could have been a key player for us.”
Arteta’s mounting fitness crisis
The latest setback deepens a growing selection crisis for Mikel Arteta’s squad as they approach crucial FA Cup and Champions League quarter-final ties against Southampton and Sporting.
The north London club are already reeling from a Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City last weekend, which resulted in the subsequent international withdrawals of William Saliba, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard.
Those vital first-team figures join an increasingly crowded treatment room that currently houses club captain Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and long-term absentee Mikel Merino.
Furthermore, the Gunners recently lost Eberechi Eze for up to six weeks after he suffered a calf problem during their European victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
