With the £52 million signing of Noni Madueke, it was always going to be difficult for Arsenal to bring in another left winger.
While many are still packaging Madueke as Bukayo Saka’s backup, Mikel Arteta continues to hint that the Chelsea man could be his solution on the opposite wing.
Pre-season is the perfect time to experiment with new tactics and prepare for the campaign ahead, and Madueke, as is being hinted, may be about to play a major role on the left.
In both of his appearances, Madueke replaced Gabriel Martinelli rather than Saka, featuring on the left wing, suggesting Arteta has plans for him in that role.
While the summer signing looked rusty in the loss to Villarreal, he was much improved against Athletic Bilbao, delivering a solid 45-minute display.
His positioning was key. Staying wide on the left, he stretched Athletic’s back line and gave Arsenal genuine width, something Martinelli rarely offers, given his tendency to cut inside.
Madueke made intelligent runs, delivered dangerous crosses and linked well with teammates.
He added balance to Arsenal’s attack from the left and brought a refreshing dynamism to the role.
He’s as direct as they come, creating chances with ease and showing a willingness to take on defenders.
Some forget Madueke is still regaining full sharpness after his extended break due to the Club World Cup participation, but on Saturday evening, he looked fit and ready.
Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have struggled to impress from the left, with their pre-season performances not helping their case.
Madueke, on the other hand, shows a clear desire to face up to his man, release early to a teammate, and keep driving forward.
His ability to deliver early crosses, something Martinelli often hesitates with, makes him well-suited to claim the role.
Ironically, despite Martinelli’s pace, Arsenal have lacked genuine speed down the left. Madueke could offer a new lease of life in that area.
Gooners need to trust him more, exactly as Arteta urged when he called him “a defender’s nightmare on his day.”
Personally, I find him an exciting addition and he’s only just starting to slot into the team, after joining the squad only 1 week ago.
