Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest: Noni Maduke was impressed as the Gunners returned from an international break following goals from Martin Zubimendi (2) and Viktor Gyoker.
Just two months ago, a petition entitled #notomaduke began trending online. It was the ruthless rallying cry from a collection of outspoken Arsenal supporters who strongly opposed the Noni Madueke signature.
The 23-year-old, born in Barnet, had been running the ring around Fullback Morato in Nottingham Forest, so how stupid they must have been here. There is no way to escape the fact that his Arsenal arrival raised eyebrows. It was a complete bolt from the blue, an addition that threatened to rebuild Mikel Arteta’s reputation, which had a major recruitment decision involved.
However, based on the past week, the attacker’s shock capture was well spent on the first £48.5 million. Perhaps it’s not a big surprise that Premier League football managers know more about what their team needs than faceless trolls on social media.
Arteta’s beliefs and beliefs in Madueke have already been rubbed against in the English International. When he asked Milos Kerquez a serious question, there were signs of a real promise at Anfield before the break.
Maduce then impressed Andorra for England, backing it up by notching his first three Lions goals in the 5-0 demolition of Serbia in Belgrade. It’s obvious that the juice is flowing and confidence is running through Madueke’s veins.
read more: Why William Saliba was dropped by Mikel Arteta despite training in the first teamread more: Arsenal gets hit by a major injury as Martin Odegard is kicked out into the woods
In the first half alone, players on the field did not complete more dribbling or create more than three chances (3) than the former Chelsea forward. Declan Rice fell on the bench, and Madueke took it above him and grabbed the ball and shook it in the corner.
In fact, it was his cross that headed towards Martin Zubimendi’s sweetly stricken opener – a reward for Madueke’s industry, energy and creative sparks. You almost felt Morato and played the first few minutes of the season following Ola Aina’s hamstring. In fact, it was a slight surprise that post-Ecoglu Angelou did not change to spare the Brazilian blush because it was a mismatch. Bukayo Saka remains irreplaceable at Arsenal, but Madueke’s skill set, cute dribbling and ability to cut inside from the right flank onto the left foot help the firearm deal with it in the presence of amulets.
Like Saka, Madueke can go in and out, and now slowly develops his final product into something more refined. Even at Chelsea, few doubted the quality of the previous PSV Eindhoven wingers – it only performed consistently, and consistency this season has been in the past.
All of Arteta’s famous signatures were hits. Viktor Gyoker has three top flight goals from his first four outings. EberechiEze grabbed the assist in his first Gunners start. Martins Vimendy put a rare brace in a bag.
If they are ultimately short, it’s unlikely that rivals will forget that Arsenal spent the cash on their club records this summer, but you have to say that their business has been proven so far and that’s what Arteta accomplishes.
Madueke already builds red hot with full-back Julian wood. Even if Saka magically returns to fitness next week, it’s difficult to justify dropping him because he’s razor sharp.
He left the field in the 79th minute to stand ovation and no one can dispute that he appears to be this real asset on the Arsenal side – there’s still a lot to improve.
A full-time whistle came, the English starlet created more opportunities (5 people), completed the most dribbling (4 people), and won more duels (9) than anyone else on the field. It’s difficult to discuss such numbers.
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