Noni Madueke Arsenal GFX
Arsenal’s decision to sign winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea in a £52 million ($70m) transfer continues to generate waves of discussion and none more vocal than that of former club star Paul Merson. The ex-midfielder has admitted he’s “flabbergasted” by the club’s latest move in the transfer market, raising questions not only about the player’s ability but also what it might mean for fan-favourite Bukayo Saka.
WHAT HAPPENED?
With Enzo Maresca bringing in fresh talent such as Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Estevao and Joao Pedro, Madueke’s place in the squad was under threat. Realising that minutes could be hard to come by, he opted for a switch to north London in search of more consistent involvement.
FBL-EUR-C4-REAL BETIS-CHELSEA
WHAT MERSON SAID
In his column for Sky Sports, Merson didn’t hold back in his assessment of Madueke's transfer: "I am flabbergasted by Arsenal signing Noni Madueke. I'm shocked. If Arsenal went and bought any player from Chelsea, he'd have been the last one I thought they'd sign. I just don't see it. It's a lot of money for a player who is not a prolific goalscorer. He's the sort of player that has a good game here and a good game there, but that'll be it. The consistency of performance isn't there. I hope he proves me wrong, but he'll have the good games, just like he did for England last month. But then you won't see him for a few weeks."
Merson even referenced his preference for another player and said: "For me, at Chelsea, I'd have always played Jadon Sancho ahead of him. It's not to be disrespectful to the player but I am flabbergasted by the money Arsenal are paying for him. Chelsea just won't believe that this deal has come to them. They won't believe their luck."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
However, things don't look bright for Madueke at the Emirates either. He is expected to serve as cover for Saka on the right and push Gabriel Martinelli for starting minutes on the opposite flank. Hence, Merson argued that shelling out £52m for a fringe player makes little sense.
He said: "What I don't get is that Madueke's best position is playing on the right, cutting inside and getting shots away. Who does that for Arsenal? Bukayo Saka. And he's not coming out of the Arsenal starting XI. So, with that in mind, £52m is a lot of money for a backup player, in this day and age."
But given the club’s ambition to challenge across multiple competitions next season, squad rotation will be important, which might provide Madueke more opportunities to impress. The onus will be on him to grab those moments and make a case for himself to be a starter for Arteta.
Esperance de Tunis v Chelsea FC: Group D - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
WHAT NEXT FOR MAUDEKE?
For Madueke, this move is about revival and recognition. His spell at Chelsea was marked by flashes of brilliance but lacked the consistent run of form necessary to cement a place in the starting XI. Now at Arsenal, he has the chance to prove himself in a system that prizes work rate, creativity and tactical discipline.
The 22-year-old will join his new teammates on a pre-season tour in Asia, where Arsenal are scheduled to face AC Milan, Newcastle United and local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. These fixtures will serve as early tests for Madueke and give fans a first glimpse of what he can bring to the team.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Man United fan roasts Dominos "This miss by Kolo Muani destroyed football" Tottenham need another Son! This Arsenal... Milan Beat Liverpool lol Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: originaltrollfootball, NoContextChe1, PL__OOC)...
According to a report from Fichajes, Manchester City tried to sign the player with an offer of €170 million. Chelsea have now turned down the approach, and they are demanding €250 million to sell the England international.Cole Palmer is a world-class talentThere is no doubt that Palmer is one of the best young players in the world, and he is destined to develop into a future superstar....
But the Toon boss has insisted that any negotiation for their £150m-rated star striker must be in the best interests of the club.The Swedish striker will not be short on suitors with Liverpool and Al-Hilal leading the wayIsak, 25, is understood to have told the Newcastle hierarchy that he wants to leave this summer and will not sign an extension on his current deal that expires in 2028.Having...
A report from The Athletic claims Fulham are currently in advanced talks to sign the 25-year-old attacker from Arsenal. There is a chance that the player could join the London club on loan once again. However, Arsenal would prefer to include an obligation to buy at the end of the season.It remains to be seen whether the two clubs can finalise an agreement quickly. Nelson was on loan at Fulham last...
Arsenal got into a mess over Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya. Will Kepa Arrizabalaga, still the world's most expensive keeper, give Mikel Arteta another selection dilemma?. Suhaimi Abdullah/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesSINGAPORE -- Is the world's most expensive goalkeeper now an understudy? Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Arsenal at the start of July in a surprise move after the Gunners triggered his £5 m...
England and Spain will clash on Sunday for the right to be crowned European champions. GettyAfter a long month of continental competition stretching from one end of Switzerland to the other, Euro 2025 is set to conclude on Sunday in Basel, where Spain will take on England in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final.The paths these two teams have taken through the tournament in Switzerland are starkly ...
🔊 Women's Euro 2025 Final: England vs Spain. This isn't just a clash between Europe's two strongest national teams, but a meeting of two distinct footballing philosophies. England embodies grit, physicality, and adaptability. Under Sarina Wiegman, they might not always deliver the most dazzling performances, but they know how to win under the toughest conditions. Despite losing several key players...
FBL-WC-CLUB-2025-MATCH36-PORTO-AHLYThe Palestine international signed a multi-year deal with the 2024 Leagues Cup championsWHAT HAPPENED?The Columbus Crew has signed a new Designated Player in Wessam Abou Ahli of Al Ahly in Egypt.The 26-year-old Palestine international cost a reported $7.5M fee and up to an additional $1M in add-ons. He joins on a contract through 2027, with an option for 2028, an...
Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Manchester UnitedManchester United's newest signing had plenty of good moments alongside the club's biggest star in a 2-1 win over West Ham to kickstart the Premier League Summer Series.Manchester United v West Ham United FC: Premier League Summer SeriesTELL ME MOREBruno Fernandes was in top form as he helped Manchester United edge West Ham in a 2-1 win in the Premi...
Inter Miami CF v FC CincinnatiBoth Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were handed one-game suspensions for skipping the MLS All-Star GameInter Miami CF v FC CincinnatiWHAT HAPPENED?Following Inter Miami's 0-0 draw with FC Cincinnati, manager Javier Mascherano criticized MLS for suspending Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba as punishment for skipping the All-Star Game. The Argentine coach questioned the league's...
- 1 Chelsea Deny Late Move to Hijack Man United Deal for Bryan Mbeumo
- 2 AC Milan Reach Agreement with Brighton for Pervis Estupinan Transfer
- 3 'Man Utd are losing a great player!' - Paul Pogba reacts to Marcus Rashford's 'crazy' imminent transfer to Barcelona
- 4 Newcastle Look to Hijack Spurs Move for Evann Guessand Amid Transfer Stalemate
- 5 Man City make move for Jules Kounde
- 6 Enzo Fernandez agrees Real Madrid move
- 7 Stunning ring girls get hot pants signed by undisputed champ
- 8 Man City to re-sign Trafford in $36M deal
- 9 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 10 Transfer news & rumours LIVE