Arsenal’s 3-2 pre-season defeat to Villarreal may have raised concerns ahead of the new campaign, but for Noni Madueke, it marked a quietly promising start to life in North London. The £52 million summer signing from Chelsea came off the bench in the 77th minute, replacing Gabriel Martinelli, and used his brief cameo to deliver a sharp reminder of why Arsenal made the surprise move to secure his services.
Initially met with skepticism, particularly from fans expecting a more established left-wing recruit, Madueke has quickly silenced some doubters. Despite spending much of his time at Chelsea operating on the right flank, the 23-year-old looked comfortable on the left — a position that has long needed consistency at the Emirates.
Madueke Seizes His Moment
Although Madueke only featured for 14 minutes, he showed clear attacking intent. The England international whipped in a smart cross during one of Arsenal’s final attacks and injected much-needed urgency into a side that had struggled for fluidity. His performance sparked a wave of support on social media, with fans pointing out the contrast between his impact and Martinelli’s quiet outing.
“Madueke did more in five minutes than Martinelli managed all game,” one fan posted, summing up the sentiment of many. Another added: “I was wrong. Madueke is better than Martinelli.”
It’s still early days, but those kinds of reactions highlight a growing belief that the former PSV star might soon force his way into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI. Madueke’s confidence, directness, and tidy passing didn’t go unnoticed, and some Arsenal supporters are now tipping him to take over as the club’s first-choice left winger.
Martinelli’s Spot Under Threat?
Gabriel Martinelli, once seen as a guaranteed starter under Arteta, now finds himself under fresh pressure. His form dipped in the second half of last season, and with Arsenal looking to close the gap on Manchester City, the margin for error is thin. If Madueke continues to impress in pre-season, the Brazilian could face a genuine battle for minutes.
One supporter put it bluntly: “Madueke… the left wing position is yours to lose this season, bro.”
Dowman and Madueke: Bright Spots in Defeat
Alongside Madueke, academy product Max Dowman also drew praise. The 16-year-old’s fearless performance off the bench — including three successful dribbles, a penalty won, and 87% pass accuracy in just 28 minutes — was one of the few positives on a night that ended in defeat.
One fan summed up the mood by stating: “Dowman and Madueke were Arsenal’s best attackers today. How in the world is that possible?”
What It Means for Arteta
With two straight pre-season defeats — against Spurs and Villarreal — Arteta still has questions to answer ahead of the new campaign. But the emergence of options like Madueke and Dowman adds fresh energy to a squad that’s aiming to push harder for silverware this season.
Whether Madueke can maintain this form and make the left wing his own remains to be seen. But if Wednesday’s performance is anything to go by, Gabriel Martinelli may be facing his toughest competition yet.
