Former Premier League goalkeeper Tim Howard has recently been critical of Chelsea’s decision to sell Noni Madueke to Arsenal. The former PSV man was in top form last time out as he put in an impressive display against Nottingham Forest. The 23-year-old was in the mood on Saturday, terrorising the Forest backline at any given opportunity. His performance did not get him a goal or assist, but such was the impact of his overall display, the Emirates faithful recognised him with a standing ovation when he was substituted.
As picked up by a post on X, Howard expressed his belief that Chelsea made the wrong decision by selling. The former Everton and Manchester United goalkeeper said:
“It’s a miss. Chelsea have missed that one. And that’s going to happen, because they sign so many talented young players. He’s a special player. He never should have been let go by Chelsea.
“They got that one wrong, and they have to admit that. Saka we know is probably the best player in the Arsenal team, but if he’s out… no problem. Madueke can come in and be a star.”
Madueke’s form for club and country
Noni Madueke was in top form even prior to the Forest game as well. The England international started against Leeds and then Liverpool before the international break. During the international fixtures, he started both games against Andorra and Serbia, scoring his first ever Three Lions goal against the latter in the process.
End product still needed
He is yet to get off the mark in Arsenal colours and in my opinion, he needs to improve his decision making in and around the box for that to change. Not that it is a prerequisite, but I think his end product will improve considerably if he does. He got into a number of decent positions against Forest and he rarely went for goal. The difference between him and Saka? Saka would have bagged at least a goal with that sort of performance.
Although there is still a lot of improvement needed, the player is proving a hit so far.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Benjamin Kenneth
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Noni is like the Energizer bunny. A joy to watch.
Difficult to criticize, because we are not privy to the instructions that Arteta gives his players.
Maybe he wants Madueke to create space, and bring the midfield into play centrally. Maybe he wants Madueke to cross to far post where Gyokeres or the LW in running towards.
Can’t assume what may be an “obvious” choice to us is contrary to the instructions Arteta gives the players.
A great example I can think of is the Liverpool game. Several times Merino was in a good position centrally; he did not pass to Madueke who was calling for the ball, did not cross to Gyokeres, and instead passed outside to Timber on the right I believe.
Merino scored a hattrick with Spain, but did not take shots at Liverpool.
Does that mean Merino was not aggressive? He was not looking to take a shot on goal?
Or was he perhaps following the instructions given by Arteta?
Arteta prefers players to stick to the script rather than go off page with individual freedom and creativity; it may disrupt the organization and positioning Arteta has figured into his tactics and setup.
Just my thoughts, before people start calling players deadwood or trash.
My thoughts also.
Durand,
If your thought’s are correct it’s a concern. If he restricts them, that can’t be a good thing surely. Especially attempts on goal.
While the team must be structured, it must also have flexibility to do things off the cuff so to speak.
This is what he used to do in Chelsea there’s no special things about him . Soon he will brings his attitude to you all to see. One lose from arsenal you will understand what I mean. His time at Chelsea was not up to the task because there were matches Chelsea supposed to win but due to his final decision making always cost them
Arsenal team is Arteta brain and technology, very disruptive,so hard to understand so just relax and take notes ,where you don’t understand you may just do a research , because we are too confused just like you.
Trust me duran, arteta knew he made a blunder with Liverpoor formation, we all confirm that there is nothing wrong in starting merino, it was evident during international break (and before) but the difference between Spain midfield and arenal is pedri, an AM
it is sad that arteta had to learn that way when it is obvious u need an AM and that cost us the liverpool game together with awful martinelli
So arteta chose nwaneri (our pedri) over rice in forest game. So i feel rice/zubimendi should fight for dm, as merino is more of a cm than both of them( he was oozing class in forest game like i’m watching sergio bosquet)
Also I’ll like to see nwaneri benching odegaard sometimes and I’ll also like to see odegard alternating with merino for cm
And I want to see more dowman too especially.
Is like watching lacazette and Jesus, good players without end product it will only take few season for you guys to start slating him
Now that we’ve got Madueke, does anyone miss Sterling.😂🤣👍