Noni Madueke is making the most of his Premier League starts following the injury to Bukayo Saka.

Today, Madueke started again for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest in the absence of Bukayo Saka, and to the fans that doubted him, he gave them a performance to remember. 

In the first half, he was Arsenal’s best player, giving the Nottingham Forest defense a run for their money. Morato couldn’t handle him, and before Zubimendi scored, he was their best route to goal.

Even when Neco Williams came to cover for Morato after Murillo had to go off injured, Madueke gave him a lot to think about. Before getting substituted, he created the most chances (5), completed the most dribbles (4), and won the most duels (9). 

After the game, Arteta mentioned that he was impressed by his new signing. In his post-match conference, he spoke highly of Madueke. 

“Yeah, a lot of courage, that’s how I describe it. Obviously, a lot of quality, but a lot of courage. We were about to sign him, and there was that reaction around him. I spoke to him and he was like, ‘pzzzt, I go for it, I can’t wait to put that shirt on and play for you guys’. I said, ‘well, let’s bring him.”

“If I was convinced before, I’m more convinced now that he’s going to do it. And yeah, I think he has such a power, such a capacity to repeat efforts. Because to be able to do that physically, you have to have a different specimen, I think. And he’s certainly that. But he’s very skilful, very unpredictable, 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.”