Dramatic Noni Madueke Arsenal U-turn made with brutal Chelsea verdict

Noni Madueke has forced Paul Merson into completing a significant U-turn on his ability following a transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal

Paul Merson has admitted to performing a huge U-turn on Noni Madueke after initially being critical of Arsenal’s decision to sign him from Chelsea. The 23-year-old sealed a £52million switch across London in the summer with a mixed first few months at the Gunners.

An injury to Bukayo Saka saw him play a significant amount of minutes early into the season but an issue of his own resulted in a spell on the sidelines. Since returning, Madueke opened his Arsenal account in the 3-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich.

He then netted a brace in their 3-0 triumph over Club Brugge a few weeks later. Even without directly contributing to goals regularly, Merson was full of praise for his performances.

He said on Sky Sports: “If there’s one player I would have sold at the start of the season from Chelsea, it would have been him. I hardly saw him have a good game with Chelsea. He never went past players, very hot and cold.

“But since he’s been at Arsenal, he’s been a revelation, he’s been absolutely unbelievable. Arsenal play a lot quicker, they get the ball out to the wingers and they can go and have a go.

“One-v-one, I think he’s one of the best about; he’s one of the best wingers. If you give him the ball one-v-one, he doesn’t mess about. He’s not fussed about doing tricks. He’s very direct, runs at real pace and when you’re a defender you do not want people running with you at pace.

“He very rarely stops the ball, he gets the ball and he goes bang that way, like Mo Salah did, and people can’t tackle you when you’re doing that. He’s been absolutely outstanding. I got it horribly wrong!”

Madueke is behind Saka in the pecking order at Arsenal, but with so many games on the horizon, he is likely to still start several matches. It also gives Arteta a fresh option out wide if needed with Merson describing that as a nightmare for opponents.

He said: “There’s nothing worse [than seeing Madueke come on for Saka]. When you see someone’s number come up you think, ‘I’ve got rid of him’. And then all of a sudden someone else comes on who’s just very similar and fresh.

“That’s what they needed. The next part of the season with the Champions League and the Premier League gets harder.

“To swap players like-for-like, it’s very rare you can get that. Usually you bring a top quality player off, you’re really weakening the team. But you’re not at the moment. The way he’s playing is perfect on that side.”

Madueke did not even get on the pitch in last weekend’s win over Wolves, despite the fact Arsenal did not score until the 70th minute.

Injury problems have plagued Arteta this season with a fresh one emerging in that 3-1 victory as Ben White was forced off.

Speaking on the defender, he said: “Yeah, he’s out, he’s evolving well, it’s not a major injury, but it will keep him out for a few games, I think.”