Arsenal star forced off injured in untimely blow days before Man City title showdown

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Mikel Arteta has been handed a fresh injury concern after Noni Madueke appeared to suffer a knee injury during the second half of Arsenal's clash against Sporting CP. Madueke went down requiring treatment midway through the second-half before it soon became clear he couldn’t continue.

Madueke was caught by the TV cameras limping off the pitch while being assisted by members of the Arsenal medical team. The winger was replaced by Max Dowman.

And with a top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City coming up at the weekend, the last thing Mikel Arteta needed was another injury to contend with. Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are yet to feature since the international break.

And when asked for an update on the pair ahead of the game against Sporting, Arteta said: "Maybe one of them, let's see." On Saka’s injury, the Gunners boss added: "It was something that he was carrying for a while. It was an Achilles issue."

Martin Odegaard has also missed his side’s last two matches after picking up a knee injury against Sporting in the first-leg in Lisbon last week. But providing an update on his fitness in his column for the official club programme, the midfielder revealed: "I had to go off during the second half of that game in Portugal last week, feeling my knee, which is why I missed the game at the weekend.

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"I caught it a little bit against Sporting, but hopefully it shouldn’t be too bad. I’m desperate to get back as soon as possible because this is the crucial period of the season, in the Premier League and Champions League ."

Odegaard also reflected on the win in Lisbon and the defeat to the Bournemouth. The Arsenal skipper said: "We have put ourselves in a great position in this tie after our win in Portugal last week, and we know exactly what we need to do tonight.

"Of course, Saturday’s result here against Bournemouth was massively disappointing for everyone, so it’s good that this game has come around so quickly to give us the opportunity to respond."

Before he continued: "In football you quickly get the chance to put things right, and now we want to do it. You have to go through difficult moments in every season, so the important thing is to use that pain in a positive way to move on to the next one.

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"That’s what we want to do tonight back in the Champions League – there is obviously still a lot to play for. We have worked so hard all season and we are determined to make the most of this position we are in.

"We have the opportunity to make history by reaching back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in our history, so let’s make it happen. We got a good win in Lisbon last week.

"It’s always tough to play away in Europe, and Sporting are very strong at home as well. In the knockout rounds, when you play home and away, it’s key to get a good result in the first game, and so for us to come back here with a win from that game was brilliant and exactly what we wanted."

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