Arsenal were dealt another injury setback during their 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday as Noni Madueke was forced off at half-time.
The England winger, who joined from Chelsea in the summer for €52 million ($55m), had looked lively in the opening stages at Emirates Stadium but struggled physically after picking up an early problem.
His withdrawal initially appeared to be a tactical change, but manager Mikel Arteta confirmed afterwards that the decision was enforced.
It is the latest in a series of fitness blows for Arteta, who is already without Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, while Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Ben White have only just returned from injury issues.
“He had an issue very early in the match and he wasn’t well enough to continue,” Arteta said when asked if Madueke’s substitution was for tactical reasons.
The Gunners looked short of creativity in the first half with Arteta’s midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino unable to break through City’s defensive lines.
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What did Declan Rice say about Gabriel Martinelli?
At the break, the manager introduced Saka and Eberechi Eze to change the dynamic, and the gamble eventually paid off when Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to score a stoppage-time equaliser after Erling Haaland’s early opener.
Declan Rice praised Martinelli’s impact afterwards, describing the Brazilian as a player who “always delivers in big moments”.
“The run and finish at that stage of the game – unbelievable. He really deserves it.”
The draw keeps Arsenal second in the Premier League, five points behind leaders Liverpool, who have made a perfect start to the campaign.
But Arteta now faces the prospect of losing another attacking option, with Madueke set to undergo further assessment in the coming days.
Attention now turns to Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Port Vale before a testing league visit to Newcastle.
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