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Noni Madueke is proving his Arsenal doubters wrong as the perfect deputy for Bukayo Saka

It wasn’t so long ago that a petition titled #NoToMadueke circulated within the Arsenal support amid reports that the Gunners could move for the Chelsea winger. Noni Madueke joined the North London club against a backdrop of opposition from fans who didn’t believe the 23-year-old would meaningfully improve Mikel Arteta’s team. How wrong they were.

 

Saturday was Madueke’s best performance in an Arsenal shirt to date. He was a constant threat down the right side, repeatedly testing the Nottingham Forest backline with his direct movements and willingness to get to the byline. Madueke didn’t score or assist, but he was the best player on the pitch in a comfortable 3-0 victory.

 

With Bukayo Saka currently sidelined through injury and Martin Odegaard struggling for form and fitness, Madueke has been a crucial source of creativity for Arsenal in the early part of the season. He has settled in quickly at the Emirates Stadium and is already proving his doubters wrong.

 

“A lot of courage, that’s how I describe him. A lot of quality, but a lot of courage,” said Arteta when asked what Madueke offers. “He’s very skilful, very unpredictable, he’s so willing to learn and he brings joy. I look at him and he’s always smiling, he’s always trying things. He gets one wrong, he goes again and that’s what I love about the creative players because you need that to be successful.”

 

Arsenal spent much of the summer transfer window adding depth to their squad. Arteta knew he needed different options in various areas and Madueke was one of the Gunners’ most important additions with this in mind. The £48.m fee Arsenal paid Chelsea for the winger reflected his potential.

 

It’s unlikely Madueke expected to make such a profound impact so soon into his Arsenal career. The 23-year-old was probably braced for a supporting role behind Saka, but injuries have thrust him into the starting lineup and given him an opportunity to prove why Arteta wanted him in the first place.

 

Madueke completed more dribbles (five) than any other player on the pitch against Nottingham Forest. He was extremely positive every time he received the ball, also registering more key passes (five) than any other player and even contributing four accurate crosses into the opposition box. He was an all-round threat.

 

Saka might still be Arsenal’s most consistent and reliable wide threat, but Madueke has shown he can ably deputise for his England teammate when required. It’s possible Madueke’s performances could push Saka to an even higher level now that he has genuine competition for his place in the lineup.

 

Ebere Eze also caught the eye in the win over Forest, making his first Premier League start for Arsenal since joining from Crystal Palace. He gives the Gunners a different dimension on the left side of the forward line and has surely replaced Gabriel Martinelli in Arteta’s strongest lineup. Eze is on another level.

 

Madueke is also capable of operating on the left wing, meaning he could be the ultimate depth option for Arsenal on both sides of the pitch. The North London outfit want to compete on several fronts and Madueke is the sort of player who will help them do that. Arsenal supporters surely now see the value of his summer signing.

 

Arsenal have made a strong start to the 2025/26 season. The limp loss to Liverpool at Anfield was disappointing, but Arteta still has his team pointed in the right direction with Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi contributing having joined the Gunners in the summer window. Nobody, however, has hit the ground running faster than Madueke.