Noni Madueke is now the latest Chelsea player linked with a move to Arsenal.
Since Mikel Arteta became Arsenal manager in 2019, the Gunners have made a habit of recruiting from Chelsea, a tactic that has yielded mixed success.
Jorginho and Kai Havertz are arguably success stories, whereas the same probably can’t be said for David Luiz and Raheem Sterling.
But the Gunners don’t appear put off at all, and Arsenal are considering a move for Noni Madueke this summer to boost their options in attack.
Noni Madueke made 43 appearances for Chelsea last season, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists, but he is a player who Enzo Maresca’s side would be willing to lose if the right offer came in.
Arsenal should sign Andrey Santos instead of Noni Madueke
That being said, if Arsenal are signing a player from Chelsea this summer, it should actually be central midfielder Andrey Santos.
As things stand, Thomas Partey is set to leave Arsenal and new sporting director Andrea Berta will need to recruit another midfielder alongside Martin Zubimendi, who has agreed to join from Real Sociedad.
Andrey Santos celebrates for RC Strasbourg.
Photo by Sathiri Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
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And judging by his performances on loan for Strasbourg in France last season, Santos is the perfect player to come in for Arteta.
Despite only being 21-years-old, Santos was one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe last season when it came to matching his progressive passing with defensive actions.
The Most Destructive Progressive Passers in Europe.
Ball-playing DMs have become a key part of this transfer window. Having a destroyer who can pass forward is key, given their deeper position. Some of the best include:
🇧🇷 Andrey Santos
🇫🇷 Lucien Agoumé
🇪🇸 Martín Zubimendi pic.twitter.com/s4HJY14xqx
— FootballEconomist (@FootballEcon_) June 20, 2025
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Santos sat right alongside the likes of Zubimendi, proving why he could be an excellent understudy to the Brazilian in a new-look midfield for Arsenal.
Chelsea bought Santos for around £18m in 2023, and it is interesting that Enzo Maresca is yet to use the youngster at the Club World Cup, still preferring to play full-backs in midfield.
Andrey Santos had a higher rating than Jude Bellingham last season
Signing such an excellent young talent definitely wouldn’t be easy, but Arsenal are interested in Santos according to reports, and perhaps there’s no smoke without fire.
France’s media were amazed by Santos in Ligue 1 last season, and it would be a real mistake if Chelsea let the Brazilian go.
Highest rated players under the age of 23 in Europe's top five leagues last season (30+ apps):
◎ 8.01 – Lamine Yamal
◎ 7.50 – Florian Wirtz
◎ 7.33 – Andrey Santos
◎ 7.30 – Rayan Cherki
◎ 7.27 – Jude Bellingham pic.twitter.com/PKwZp3HOdi
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) June 20, 2025
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But judging by Santos’ performances over the last 12 months, Arsenal should definitely be testing the waters.
Arsenal did want to sign Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg, another exciting young midfielder who is now set to join Manchester City instead.
And whilst Santos is a different profile to Nypan, he would benefit Arsenal’s squad a lot more immediately, and Arteta could actually afford the 21-year-old regular chances straight away.
Santos could thrive under Arteta, and he’s the Chelsea player Arsenal should be chasing, not Madueke.