Not Saka: Arsenal already have a Noni Madueke replacement who is going to be even better

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Mikel Arteta has been handed a fresh injury blow after news emerged that Noni Madueke sustained a knee injury in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City.

The 23-year-old was replaced at half-time by Bukayo Saka at the Emirates after an uneventful first-half display against Abdukodir Khusanov.

Madueke has proven his doubters wrong in North London following a string of widely impressive displays while deputising for Saka, who featured for the first time on Sunday since the 5-0 win against Leeds United.

He has certainly found another level to his game since completing a £52 million move from Chelsea this summer, and as his efforts have stolen the headlines in recent weeks, Rio Ferdinand said Arsenal fans must apologise to Madueke after they too doubted his arrival.

According to The Guardian, he will soon undergo tests to determine the extent of the knee injury, but early signs suggest the forward is set for a considerable spell on the sidelines.

However, the Gunners already have the perfect replacement for Madueke, and it is not the player whom he originally replaced.

Max Dowman can replace Noni Madueke at Arsenal

Max Dowman was excluded from the matchday squad for the clash against Man City despite the youngster being named on the substitutes bench for all of the Gunners’ prior Premier League fixtures.

Arteta promoted the 15-year-old to the senior squad after deeming Dowman ready for first-team football after an incredible season with the Under-18s, where he notched 15 goals and five assists in 15 appearances.

As the old saying goes, ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough,’ and the youngster has certainly proved he was good enough – Dowman won a penalty for Arsenal on his Premier League debut against Leeds.

Furthermore, he sent a clear message to Arteta that he belongs in the first-team set-up, as he played for the Under-21s the day before City traveled to North London and scored in the 3-2 win over Wolves.

Although Gabriel Martinelli eventually found the equaliser in stoppage time on Sunday, the current crop of Arsenal attackers struggled to break down the stubborn City defence, and they will benefit from the skills of the “hugely talented” Dowman.

Indeed, Saka could very well return to the side with summer signing Eberechi Eze operating on the left flank, but with a hectic domestic and European schedule ahead, Arteta will need to rotate, and there is arguably no better player at the Sobha Realty Training Centre to step up in Madueke’s absence than Dowman.

How did Max Dowman fare for Arsenal Under-21s?

While the senior squad narrowly managed to overturn the one-goal deficit against Man City, Dowman played a pivotal role in orchestrating a comeback for the Under-21s.

The forward, playing in central midfield on the day, scored the equaliser in the Premier League 2 clash after Wolves scored either side of half-time to take a commanding two-goal lead.

It is clear that the Under-21s side are a level below his talents, and he should not be anywhere other than the first team set-up at the Emirates.

Arteta spent around £250m to bolster his squad depth, and while the Gunners do boast a large and talented squad this season, it is imperative that a clear pathway to the first team exists for the youngsters, particularly one of Dowman’s ability.