Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has singled out a new Gunners signing for praise following the latest round of international fixtures.
Arsenal had 17 players away with their national teams during the break, many of whom featured in crucial World Cup qualifiers. Mikel Merino stole headlines with a stunning hat-trick for Spain against Turkey, while captain Martin Ødegaard scored and laid on two assists as Norway brushed aside Moldova.
But despite those eye-catching performances, Merson believes another Arsenal player deserves the spotlight.
Noni Madueke catches the eye
Arsenal raised eyebrows in the summer by paying £52 million to bring Noni Madueke across London from Chelsea. The move divided supporters, with many questioning the decision to invest so heavily in what looked like cover for Bukayo Saka.
However, the 22-year-old winger has quickly started to prove his worth. Madueke impressed at Anfield before turning in back-to-back standout displays for England against Andorra and Serbia. His pace, directness and ability to stretch defences have already made him a valuable option for both club and country.
Writing in his Sportskeeda column, Merson admitted he has been surprised by Madueke’s sharp start.
“Noni Madueke has impressed me in recent weeks. I thought he looked good against Liverpool and he has sort of carried that form into the England team as well. With Bukayo Saka still out injured, Madueke will have a big role to play for Arsenal this weekend. It’s definitely a good start to his career in north London, but we need to see more of the same on a consistent basis to call him a success.”
Easing the pressure on Saka
One of Arsenal’s biggest challenges last season was the over-reliance on Bukayo Saka. The England international picked up a serious hamstring injury, with many attributing it to the sheer number of minutes he played. Mikel Arteta never truly trusted the likes of Nicolas Pépé or Reiss Nelson to rotate effectively in that role.
Madueke’s arrival changes that dynamic. For the first time in years, Arsenal have a genuine wide option who can relieve the burden on their star man and even step in for big games if required.
A look at the numbers from the 2024/25 Premier League season shows how the two compare:
| Stat (per 90) | Bukayo Saka | Noni Madueke |
| Shots | 3.44 | 3.54 |
| Progressive carries | 5.00 | 6.82 |
| Successful take-ons | 2.13 | 1.99 |
| Progressive passes received | 13.27 | 10.00 |
| Goal-creating actions | 1.20 | 0.35 |
(Data via FBref)
While Saka remains Arsenal’s most productive wide forward, Madueke offers explosiveness and carries the ball forward more frequently, making him an excellent alternative option.
Depth finally arriving at Arsenal
With sporting director Andrea Berta overseeing squad building, Arsenal now have the depth needed to compete on multiple fronts. The signing of Madueke ensures that Arteta can rotate responsibly and manage Saka’s workload more carefully.
If Madueke can maintain the form he has shown for both Arsenal and England, the Gunners may finally have the kind of attacking depth that has eluded them in recent years.
