Arsenal have been dealt a proper gut punch as Noni Madueke is expected to be ruled out for around two months with a knee injury suffered against Manchester City. The summer signing from Chelsea had hit the ground running at the Emirates, so this news lands like a ton of bricks for Mikel Arteta.

The England international has been thrown in at the deep end since arriving from west London, starting the last four games on the right-hand side due to Bukayo Saka's injury. He even slotted in on the left against Leeds United, showing the kind of versatility that quickly made him a favourite in north London. Against Manchester City, however, things took a sour turn. Madueke appeared to be limping as he walked down the tunnel at half-time and did not emerge for the second period, with Saka coming off the bench to replace him.

What happened against Manchester City

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the 23-year-old picked up a knee problem during the first half of the contest and was subsequently substituted. The silver lining for Arsenal is that Madueke has avoided an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which would have been a far more devastating blow. Still, a two-month absence is no picnic for a side with ambitions on multiple fronts.

When it rains, it pours for Arteta. Saka had only just made his return from injury off the bench in the same game, and losing another wide option so quickly leaves Arsenal's attacking depth stretched. Madueke had been making hay while Saka was sidelined, offering direct running, confidence on the ball and a genuine goal threat from the flanks.

The fallout for Arsenal

The timing of this injury is particularly bitter because Madueke could now miss a return to Stamford Bridge. Arsenal face Chelsea in late November, and the winger will have circled that fixture in his calendar ever since the summer move. Missing it would certainly rub salt into the wound.

Beyond domestic action, the Gunners have key Champions League fixtures on the horizon. Madueke is a doubt for matches against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, two heavyweight contests where Arsenal will need every bit of quality they can muster.

The road to recovery is rarely straightforward, but Arsenal do have one useful break on the calendar. The November international window could give Madueke the ideal chance to continue his rehabilitation without missing club football. The first game after that break is a spicy North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on 23rd November, and Gunners fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that he can return for that showdown.

Every cloud has a silver lining

For all the frustration, there are reasons for cautious optimism at London Colney. Saka is back in the mix and looked lively off the bench against Manchester City, which softens the blow of Madueke's absence. The England winger has also escaped the nightmare scenario of ACL surgery, meaning a two-month layoff should be manageable rather than career-altering.

Madueke's fast start at Arsenal suggests he will be eager to pick up where he left off once he is fully fit. Until then, Arteta will need the rest of his attacking options to step up. The Premier League title race does not wait for anyone, and Arsenal cannot afford to drop points while one of their most exciting new signings watches from the treatment table.