The Gunners have been enjoying the electric form of their new winger, who has quickly silenced critics and won over fans at the Emirates. But just as Madueke was cementing his place in Mikel Artetaâs plans, injury struck â and now the 21-year-old faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Promising Form Cut Short by Untimely Injury
Madueke, who joined Arsenal in a ÂŁ52 million move from Chelsea, has made an instant impact in North London. Once met with skepticism from a section of the fanbase, the England international has since become a standout performer for both club and country.
That progress came to an abrupt halt during Arsenalâs recent 1-1 draw against Manchester City. In the final stages of the first half, Madueke was seen clutching his knee in visible discomfort and was substituted at the break.
Initial concerns pointed towards a serious ACL injury, sparking widespread speculation on social media. However, these fears were quickly played down by multiple sources.
ACL Ruled Out, But Timeline Still a Blow
Reputable journalist Ben Jacobs provided some early clarity, confirming via X (formerly Twitter) that Madueke had not suffered ACL damage â though he did note the winger was set for âa spell on the sidelinesâ as further assessments were ongoing.
Physio Scout, a well-known injury analyst on X, also weighed in:
âHard to say any event could have caused an ACL injury. He might have just been sent for precautionary scans⌠take any rumours with a pinch of salt.â
While early signs were cautiously optimistic, Arsenal fans finally received a concrete update this week. According to The Athleticâs Art de RochĂŠ, Madueke is expected to be out for approximately two months, potentially missing at least ten matches across all competitions.
Return Targeted for North London Derby
If recovery goes according to plan, Madueke could be in contention for Arsenalâs high-stakes North London Derby against Tottenham on November 23. Until then, Arteta will have to rely on depth in wide areas, including Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, to fill the void left by the injured winger.
Despite the setback, Maduekeâs early-season form hasnât gone unnoticed. Speaking on his podcast, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville admitted he underestimated the Arsenal star:
âMadueke is a lot better than I imagined â and certainly better than Arsenal fans thought he would be. Some of the runs he made for England were different level.â
Neville praised the wingerâs movement and flair, comparing him to the kind of wide players who can make life âvery, very difficultâ for defenders.
What This Means for Arsenal
Maduekeâs absence will test Arsenalâs attacking depth during a crucial stretch of the season, including Champions League group fixtures and Premier League matchups. With fixtures piling up, Arteta must rotate wisely to maintain momentum â especially with Saka recently returning from a knock and Martinelli still finding full match sharpness.
But if thereâs a silver lining, itâs that the injury is not as severe as initially feared. And with Madueke expected back in late November, Arsenal fans can hope to see their new star back in full flight before the festive period kicks in.
