Arsenal receive injury boost ahead of Champions League final

Noni Madueke should be fit to feature for Arsenal in the Champions League final this weekend, having avoided injury in the Gunners’ match against Crystal Palace.

bayer 04 leverkusen v arsenal fc uefa champions league 2025 26 round of 16 first leg 3 — Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Noni Madueke made a start for Arsenal against Crystal Palace on Sunday, and he put in an impressive performance, scoring in the 2-1 win.

Yet there was some concern at the end of the game, with Madueke forced off with seven minutes left with an apparent injury concern.

The good news is that James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that Madueke has avoided any injury, and he’s expected to be fit for the Champions League final. The substitution was reportedly precautionary and related to cramp.

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, celebrates progressing to the final of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 with Noni Madueke and Declan Rice of Arsenal after the team's victory in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Atletico de Madrid at Arsenal Stadium on May 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) — Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

This will also be viewed as good news for Thomas Tuchel and England as well, given he’s included Madueke in his squad for the 2026 World Cup.

After the Champions League final on Saturday and the Premier League trophy (and possible Champions League trophy) parade on Sunday, Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice should all be straight off to link up with England on Monday.

But the focus now for Madueke is on Saturday’s game, and on rewarding Arsenal’s strong fan support in recent months.

Noni Madueke of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Arsenal and Wigan Athletic on February 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images) — Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images

“The Premier League will be irrelevant (during the final) and we’ll be fully focused on the Champions League to bring that to north London as well,” Madueke said ahead of the game.

“It’s separate (the mindset). The pressure of the Champions League is there, but pressure is with us all the time. This is Arsenal Football Club. One of the biggest teams in England. The Champions League is of course the big one. So we’re looking forward to it.

“To be able to do that for the first time in the history of the club would be amazing. The support in the last few weeks was great. The flares and all of the fans banging on the buses definitely gave us that little push that we needed, that little edge.

“To celebrate it with all the Arsenal fans would be the cherry on top.”

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