Arsenal opened the season looking every bit like a real title challenger, but that early buzz has quickly given way to nerves as injuries pile up. Martin Ødegaard is already out. Kai Havertz too. Gabriel Jesus as well. And now the Gunners have lost Noni Madueke. The English forward injured his knee in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City and, according to The Athletic, will be out for roughly two months. For a team that started with so much energy, the update landed in London like ice water.
There is at least one relief. Tests run on Monday confirmed no ACL tear, so the nightmare scenario was avoided. Still, it’s another problem Arteta didn’t need.
Another tough blow for Arsenal’s attack
Madueke, only 23, had made a promising start to life in North London after his £48 million move. His injury comes at a moment when Arsenal were already stretched, missing big names and forcing Arteta to rethink his attack. Two months on the sidelines means at least 11 matches gone, maybe more if the team progresses in the Carabao Cup. That’s a long stretch to cover, especially with the schedule packed with tough games and almost no recovery window.
Crucial fixtures put Arteta under pressure
The timing couldn’t be worse. Arsenal face Newcastle away in the Premier League this weekend. In the Champions League they’ll play Olympiacos on October 1, Atlético Madrid on October 21 and Slavia Prague on November 4. These are the kinds of games where you need all your weapons, and Arteta won’t have them. The wave of injuries cuts into depth, pushes younger reserves into the spotlight, and forces the manager to improvise. The damage isn’t just physical. When absences keep stacking up, confidence takes a hit and the mood inside the group can shift fast.
Arsenal began the campaign as a side capable of chasing trophies. That hasn’t changed yet, but with the injuries mounting, the danger of burning out long before the finish line is very real.