Noni Madueke Set For Arsenal Shirt Number With Only 11 Goals in Four Years

England international Noni Madueke could be set for a shirt number that has not garnered much success at Arsenal ahead of his proposed move across London. The Chelsea star has reportedly been given permission to travel for his medical ahead of a reported £52 million deal to take him to the Emirates.

In doing so, he will link up with and challenge fellow Three Lions star Bukayo Saka, as Arteta looks to add more strength to a currently weary attack that has been hampered by injury issues in recent times. However, Madueke could be forced to take a number that has not been fruitful in recent years.

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Madueke Could Be Set to Take Number 10 Shirt at Arsenal

Number 10s have scored just 11 goals in last four years

Throughout his career, Madueke has worn a variety of different numbers. He started his senior career with the number 56 at PSV, before switching to 23 – a number currently worn by Mikel Merino. When he moved to Chelsea, he took the number 31 for a brief period but largely featured with the number 11 on his journey, which currently belongs to Gabriel Martinelli.

However, one number that is vacant on the red side of North London and does link to Madueke is the number 10, which the 23-year-old may adopt following his move. Madueke wore the famous figure during his final season at PSV and may have the opportunity to reunite with it at his latest club.

While it is ordinarily an honour to wear such a number, it has not brought good luck at Arsenal in recent years. The most recent recipient was Emile Smith Rowe, who scored just 11 goals after taking the mantle from Mesut Ozil in 2021. He would go on to struggle with injuries before being shipped off to Fulham in 2024.

Meanwhile, Ozil’s run with the number 10 was also not particularly favourable. The World Cup winner was at the tail end of his turbulent career at the club when he swapped the number 11 for 10, contributing just 13 goal involvements in 58 games across his two seasons in it.

Instead, Madueke will be hoping to replicate the success of Dutch legend Dennis Bergkamp, who had a far greater time wearing the number during his spell at the club.