Arsenal Suffer Injury Scare as Noni Madueke goes off for England

Arsenal face an anxious wait over Noni Madueke after the winger was substituted during the first half of England’s friendly against Uruguay at Wembley on Friday night. Madueke started for Thomas Tuchel’s side but failed to complete the opening period, being withdrawn after sustaining an injury.

The 23-year-old had been given a chance to impress in one of England’s final international camps before the World Cup, but his evening was cut short after an awkward first half in which the game was repeatedly disrupted by stoppages. Madueke hobbled off to be replaced by Jarrod Bowen. The precise nature of the issue was not immediately clear.

That uncertainty is what will concern Arsenal most. Madueke is still in his first season at the club after joining from Chelsea in July 2025 on a five-year contract, in a deal Reuters reported was worth about £48 million plus a further £4 million in add-ons. He has become part of Mikel Arteta’s attacking options during the campaign, and any fresh setback at this stage of the season would be an unwelcome one.

The timing also adds to the concern because Madueke had already been managing a separate issue before linking up with England. Reports earlier this week said he had played through a wrist problem after an accidental collision in Arsenal training, although those same reports indicated he was still expected to be available for England’s matches against Uruguay and Japan. This evening's substitution, however, appeared to be a new concern rather than a continuation of that earlier problem, though there was no immediate official confirmation on the exact injury.

For Arsenal, the immediate hope will simply be that the problem is minor and that Madueke was taken off as a precaution. With the winger having spoken only this week about his determination to make the most of England duty and then return for the “final push” at club level, the sight of him leaving the pitch early was an obvious worry. Until England or Arsenal provide a fuller update, the situation remains one to monitor, the winger was seen leaving the match in a knee brace, a sight many Arsenal fans won't want to have seen.