For a while now, Arsenal’s deadliest winger has undoubtedly been Bukayo Saka.
Saka’s ability to glide past defenders, carve out chances for himself and tee up teammates has become a hallmark of Mikel Arteta’s attacking blueprint.
With Saka on the right wing, Arsenal’s attack has looked decent. Still, they could have been downright dangerous had Arteta possessed another winger capable of mirroring that threat from the left, or stepping in when Saka is unavailable.
Enter summer 2025
Arsenal splashed £52 million to bring in Noni Madueke.
The Englishman’s versatility and technical flair, coupled with the narrative that he could replicate Saka’s impact as a backup or left-sided threat, formed the backbone of his transfer argument.
With Madueke in the squad, the idea was simple: no panic if Saka is sidelined. Madueke could offer the same menace either as cover or from the opposite wing.
Three games into the season, Madueke has not yet delivered a headline-grabbing performance. He has been solid, but not spectacular.
And while Gooners remain split on him, Newcastle’s Dan Burn has reminded everyone why Madueke should not be underestimated. He is a unique talent.
Asked to name the most deceptive player in the current England squad, Burn did not hesitate.
“I’ll go Noni, because I feel like Noni can go either way when he’s got the ball,” Burn said on Tiktok.
“Sometimes it’s a bit like Bukayo [Saka], where you want to send them onto their weaker foot, but you’re not really sure! Yeah, I’ll go, Noni.”
Arsenal’s attack could ignite
Most Gooners did not need Burn to vouch for Madueke’s brilliance, but it is good he did.
Now, all that is left is for the ex-PSV Eindhoven man to live up to the hype.
If he can inject the same ruthlessness Saka brings, especially from the left, then Arsenal’s new striker Viktor Gyökeres should be feasting.
And with both flanks firing, Arsenal’s attack could well become the most lethal forward line in the league.
Daniel O
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Madueke seems to be winning the inverted-RW role in England national football team against Bowen and Saka who’s become prone to injury lately, due to his pace, experience, motivation and guts
Unfortunately, there’s no one at Arsenal who can do sharp turn in the middle of the final-third as good as Morgan Rogers does, to flick the ball to Madueke
Eze seems losing the England CAM spot to Rogers, because the latter looks to have quicker feet and more agile
I hope Eze can improve his performance to assist Madueke and Gyokeres from the left wing
@Gai, I think EZE has lots of potential to do well at Arsenal. Unfortunately EPL demands doesn’t wait for no one to adjust properly to a new club. EZE and Rogers are players with different skill set. I also like Rogers a lot. imo it’s up to Arteta to use EZE rightly.
Madueke if he can work on the defensive aspect of his game and can
be consistently productive like Saka in big games, he will be a good deputy. And the signs are there already.
I am glad this int break favours Arsenal in terms of fitness and keeping shape. Merino, Zubimendi, Madueke, Odegard, Rice, Timber and Hiecampe. All played well and inury free.
Gyokeres didn’t play well against Kosovo
@Gai,
Many EPl strikers didn’t play well in the last int break except Haaland.
So after a couple games Madueke is as good as Saka, according to a rival?
We have to stop with all the glaze spread over our players.
3 games in, Gyokeres is already being labeled, Merino should be our new striker based off his 1 showing with Spain, and now Madueke is as good as Saka.
Maybe get in 10 matches before making judgements, maybe wait until the end of the season, or the midway point at least.
Sheesh, after the Forest game Gyokeres could be best striker in the PL, Merino is slow and turns like the Titanic again, and Madueke has moments, but missed a chance to cement his place in the lineup.
All the flip flops do my head in.
Anything to justify signing another Chelsea unwanted player for more money than he’s worth. This is Arsenal
I reckon he’ll do ok. He’s very tricky and it’s often been said that Arsenal need more players that can run through a defence and cause disruption. He’s definitely got something to offer. Nice goal for England yesterday too.