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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Arsenal to learn severity of Noni Madueke injury as crisis grows ahead of Man City showdown

Noni Madueke was forced off in Arsenal’s draw with Sporting CP - (AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal face a nervous wait to learn the severity of Noni Madueke's knee injury.

The winger was forced off in the second half of Arsenal's goalless draw with Sporting CP in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

That result earned the Gunners a 1-0 aggregate win and sets up a semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid.

Madueke collided with Pedro Goncalves on the touchline and was unable to continue, with Max Dowman replacing him for the final half an hour.

"It was something in his knee, we had to take him off," Arteta said, as an update on Madueke.

"I don't know the extent of that."

Arsenal were without Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber against Sporting.

Odegaard said his knee injury "shouldn't be too bad", while there is uncertainty over Saka's Achilles injury.

Absent: Bukayo Saka (Getty Images)

Declan Rice had been a doubt for the match due to illness but recovered in time to start and play the full match, even if he looked a fair way off full fitness.

Arteta called for his players to bring the "fire" at his pre-match press conference and he insisted that challenge was met despite an unconvincing performance.

"100%," Arteta said.

"Especially I saw that in moments of difficulty when we gave the ball away in circumstances that are not very much like us. How willing everybody is.

"Declan yesterday, he was shattered. He had no chance to play today. He wasn't feeling good at all today - he played 94 minutes at the level he's done. Piero [Hincapie] the same.

"Every single player is putting everything on the line to contribute, to give his best. I really value that from the team."

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