Noni Madueke ‘Issue’ Behind Half-Time Substitution for Arsenal

Arsenal winger Noni Madueke was hooked by manager Mikel Arteta at half-time in their late draw against Manchester City on Sunday – and it’s been confirmed by the Gunners boss that the England star wasn’t fit enough to continue against Pep Guardiola’s men.

Madueke has been Arsenal’s biggest wide threat in recent weeks, having replaced Bukayo Saka over the course of the past month due to the Englishman’s hamstring injury – and he was rewarded with minutes over his Three Lions teammate earlier today, being trusted to start against the six-time Premier League winners on a huge day in north London.

Arteta: Madueke ‘Not Able’ to Carry on in Second Half vs Man City

Although Arsenal were behind at the break after Erling Haaland latched onto Tijjani Reijnders’ through-ball to finish well against David Raya, Madueke posed the biggest threat for the home side, seeing their only shot on target saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma on the stroke of half-time.

However, he was substituted at the interval, but not for tactical reasons. The report by Guardian journalist Ed Aarons states that Arteta made a claim over Madueke, saying the winger ‘had an issue’ and wasn’t well enough to continue into the second half.

The former Chelsea man was Arsenal’s best player in the first half, and it was quite a surprise to see him swapped for Saka at half-time – and fans will be hoping that he can return for their away clash against Newcastle United next Sunday, following their midweek League Cup clash against Port Vale.

Madueke has continued the strong form he showed at Chelsea. He’s become a regular star in the first-team for England under Thomas Tuchel, even scoring his first goal for the club against Serbia in the recent international break.

He’s slowly come into his own at the Emirates Stadium following his switch across the capital, starting against Leeds United in a 5-0 win, and although he’s not registered a goal contribution for the club since joining, that will only be a matter of time with some incredibly direct performances on the right-wing.

Arteta has improved his overall play, and Arsenal do look a better side for it. More refreshingly, they seem to finally have backup for Saka. Reiss Nelson and Raheem Sterling are good footballers in their own right, but they didn’t quite fulfil the gap that Saka left when he was out for large periods last season. Madueke does that and some, and he’ll be massively important to Arsenal for a number of years.

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