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Photo from Freepik.
Afternoon guys.
I think it would fair to suggest that Noni Madueke has made a bit of impression since making his move from Chelsea to Arsenal this summer. I must admit, at the time of his deal going through, I couldn’t understand why Arsenal were signing a big money player when it was perceived he’d be Bukayo Saka’s back up. Especially as Ethan Nwaneri was/is more than capable of fulfilling that role. However, not has it only become very clear that Mikel Arteta’s plan is to use Nwaneri centrally but Madueke is clearly no one’s deputy.
I read on Arsenal.com that In the first half alone, Madueke attempted 10 crosses. The last Arsenal player with more in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game was Samir Nasri against West Ham in January 2009. Sixteen years ago, incredible.
On how the trio managed to be so effective against Forest, he said:
> I think it’s instinctive – Ebz and I play similarly in terms of we don’t really think much – we just play what we see. **In terms of the collective unit, Mikel gives us freedom to get the ball and to try and be dynamic and positive, and I think we did that today.**
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> We probably could have scored even more goals today, but that’s the process – we’re four games into the season. We’ve got our Champions League game on Tuesday and I think as the season goes on, you’ll see an even more clinical Arsenal side.
I’ve watched a number of “bench cam” videos on the club’s official website and one word which can be heard an awful lot from Mikel Arteta is “Vamos” – “Let’s Go”. Not the kind of directive from the sidelines one would expect from a manager oft accused of being unimaginative in the way his team attack. Certainly in seasons gone by.
Perhaps the difference now is that we have more than just Gabriel Martinelli with pace. We have Madueke, we have Eze, who might not be a speedster, but like Bukayo Saka, has the footwork to be creative as well as the delivery of pass which he made on Saturday to a proper striker who probably dreams of scoring goals in his sleep. He’s different to Wrighty or Henry etc but I think their desire to score is possibly the same.
We’ve been excellent defensively for a while now and we’re even stronger with the addition of both Christhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie. Our midfield additions aren’t bad either are they? Lol
Maybe Madueke will prove to be right, the best is yet to come and not just up front.
Catch up in the comments.