Noni Madueke is expected to start in Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool this weekend. Signed as a backup for Bukayo Saka, the 23-year-old has already seen opportunities on the left wing thanks to his versatility.
Madueke: The Saka Backup
With Saka now sidelined through injury, Madueke is expected to start on the right. Many argue that is where he is most effective, with his performances on the left proving less convincing. He looked sharper when he switched to the right after Saka was forced off against Leeds.
While some are eager to see him impress in Saka’s absence, an interesting claim has emerged.
Madueke on the Right vs Liverpool: Perfect Fit
Former Gunner Adrian Clarke has highlighted the positives of starting Madueke on the right against Liverpool. Clarke voiced concerns about the winger’s off-the-ball work, suggesting it could have been a weakness, particularly if deployed on the left.
“It is a good question,” Clarke said on the Handbrake Off podcast when asked who should replace Saka against the Reds.
“I am playing Madueke on the right, although I am a bit worried about his off-the-ball work, but I would be more worried if he played him on the left because of Salah and the need to sort of work hard there.”
There is no doubt Mohamed Salah remains Liverpool’s biggest threat. When he plays well, Liverpool click, so his danger must be nullified. To do that, Arsenal’s left-back will need support from the left winger, which raises questions about whether Madueke can offer that defensive cover.
Could Eberechi Eze be the perfect opponent for Salah on Sunday at Anfield?
Notably, on the right wing playing ahead of natural defenders like Jurrien Timber and Ben White, Madueke could enjoy the freedom to focus on attacking. He may well replicate the threat Saka usually provides, and in doing so, justify the £52 million Arsenal paid Chelsea for his services, a transfer masterstroke in hindsight.
Your thoughts appreciated in the comments Gooners.
Daniel O
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Agree wholeheartedly with the comments. I watched Madueke at the game on Saturday and to be fair , he did try to hold up his side defensively (esp since he made little progress in the attack in the first half ) . Eze is more competent than either Mad or Marty….Arteta has to start Eze on Sunday. Cant wait for it….
L’pool’s luck has to run out sooner or later…..😀
Sure toon v pool went all wrong. Yes Liverpool luck needs to run out some point. They are luckiest team as they flu king it. They have no strength in depth, bit it was mostly toon injured as they tackled pool.
During toon v pool i did have dope idea for app. Needle Doll. Very cheap you buy fresh doll and pins very cheap like 10 pence for five, app allows you to push the needles through the doll. Simples but typical genius from me. Remember phone apps are world wide, if you like to have lots of money like me and my Daddy by all means go for needle doll, as all the best idea’s come from me and I give that one to you for free.
Personally I would rather see Martinelli on the left; he is our best defensive winger, and he seems to always give Liverpool fits in the attack.
As for Eze, I would drop Odegaard and play Eze as a 10, while Zubimendi and Rice sit back in a double pivot for some extra defense and help.
LB is the real conundrum: Calafiori helps the attack, but MLS inverting helps with possession and dictating through the midfield.
Calafiori concerns me a bit going against the pace of Salah, so maybe I would start MLS, but look to sub in Calafiori if needed.
I have to say Durand, Salah is starting to look his age. He is dangerous but out of the game for long periods. He is not the Salah of old, by a long way.
Reggie,
Careful, regarding your comment’s on Salah. Your tempting fete there.🤦♂️
I’d also like to see Martinelli playing LW. He gave Alexander-Arnold a torrid time with his dribbles and pace, so he’d likely skin Liverpool’s new RB
I’m too concerned about Salah, because he’s getting slower due to his age. But we could play very safe by making Timber playing inverted-LB to prevent Salah from cutting inside
The RB role could be played by Mosquera if White is unfit
👍gotanidea – It’s been successful before and it can be again. In this instance only if White is fit or Mosquera sufficiently up to the RB task. Supposedly Timber is still working on his full match fitness as well.
Yeah. Tomiyasu nullified Salah on the ground and in the air, so Timber must be able to do so
Yes, I remember that day (I believe Oct ’22) and it was a wonderful thing to see. Timber has played LB before in the right circumstances and even contained Salah at the Emirates last season before being subbed late in the game.
You dont remember it that well. It was 27 october and Salah scored😂 i remember the away game, in May where Timber was right back and MLS was LB. Salah failed to score and Liverpool was at home🤣
Try to keep up, I was referring to the game being mentioned by gotanidea. Apparently, you don’t remember the October 27 game too well. As I had mentioned to you before, Salah scored in that game at the Emirates 5 minutes After Timber was substituted for MLS. Obviously you and I have a differing opinions on whether Timber should be used as the LB against LP, but that’s all they are, opinions.
To clarify: MLS came in for Timber at the 76th minute and Salah scored in the 81st minute. None of this should be taken as a slight against MLS btw.
No because he played away next game and Salah didn’t score. But I missed the game on the 22nd🤣
OCTOBER ’22 (2022) 🤦♂️ To be more specific for you, I looked it up and it was indeed in October of 2022 so my recollection in my reply to gotanidea was correct and the game was on the 9th day of that month. Please read more closely if you’re going to be critical.
Salah definitely does look and is moving like an older player. Ekitike is becoming the problem player for teams it seems now. Wirtz hasn’t got going for them yet at all it seems. Im cautious cause they’ve got so much talent and their teams are always so efficient at taking their big moments. Ok, maybe not Salah who needs lots of chances usually 😆
Liverpool won two games unconvincingly, so the upcoming game will be the best chance to beat them at Anfield while they’re still in limbo after losing Diaz
@Gai Gapko is very skillful and can easily imo go past White. Mosquera in the absence of Timber would be better for RBack. He is very physical and mobile it would be difficult for any winger to go past him. Timber perfect for LBack against Salah.
The team against Pool will be decided on wether Odergaard is fit. It will be a lot different if he is to if he isn’t.
As regards Ezes position.
The back four pick themselves: Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber. Eze won’t be on the left wing (unless Arteta has a brain fart), so I would expect it to be Martinelli and Eze replacing the injured Ødegaard.
Hope Arteta is a bit more adventurous than some of you guys. For me Califiori and Martinell on the left with Nwaneri starting in place of an unfit Odegaard. The Arsenal player I’m most concerned about is Zubamendi. I hope he’s up for the fight but he could struggle and disappear against the strong Liverpool midfield. This is a game where the presence of in in form Partey could be missed.
Nwaneri, Trossard, Merino, Lewis-Skelly, and Dowman could all feature from the bench if Arteta continues with the sensible use of his subs.
A 100% Mosquera will not start.
Regardless of who plays on the wings, their most important role is to not take too many touches or pass backwards, but to get early low crosses, preferably to the feet of Gyokeres. Should the crosses be higher, we already have seen that Gyokeres can score with his head.
I’m feeling optimistic. I think that we can out gun them ( ho ho) in an attack fest. Their defence has let in four goals already, including two against a team playing with ten men, so they are far from infallible. Arsenal also have knack of finding ways to lose points by letting in soft goals, which is also a concern. However we now have players who can turn defeat into victory, rather than the other way round. I have no qualms about us leaving Anfield 4-2 victors. With such a scenario,who cares about defence.
For me in this game. If fit White at right back, if not then Mosquera. Eze for Odegaard, and although Martinelli isn’t having the best time at the minute. His work rate alongside his defensive duty’s make him a good pick for this particular fixture.
Just to add to my previous post, I’d play Timber at left back for this fixture. Calafiori and his lack of pace is a concern, and as good as Skelly can be, I think Timber’s defensive quality’s and experience are needed in this one.
Timber will not be at LB.
Reggie,
We will see. 🤷♂️👍
Timber can start in placebos MLS at the left back. And mosquera right back. Marinelli left. Wing. Noni right wing. Eze playing as 10. gyokeres can.lead the line. And it will be a fantastic game. I tell you will leave with a win. MLS can come on from the bench in his usual position depending on how the fame goes. Calafiori also can comebon from the bench depending on how the game goes. Dorman can also com in from the bench.
Hope you right Reggie. Two cumbersome fullbacks is over the top negative. I know Timber is a solid defender and it’s difficult to put him down after his two goals but we really need at least one of our wing backs to be able to run be able to go forward and create some panic in the opposition’s defensive zone. For me, Timber is too static.
Just pleased then, that he decided to be in the Leeds penalty area and scored two goals, while Califiori scored against manure!!!
I’m sure I watch different games to some of you, but each to their own I guess ✅