Bukayo Saka backed the summer signing of Noni Madueke behind the scenes, despite adding competition to his position, whilst Madueke was keen for Eberechi Eze to join too.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Noni Madueke of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern München at Arsenal Stadium on November 26, 2025. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Simon Collings reports for The Standard that Arsenal consulted Bukayo Saka before signing Noni Madueke this summer, trying to get a sense of the player’s personality away from the pitch.
Saka reportedly gave a glowing reference, despite the fact Madueke might end up competing with him for starts. The winger believed both the squad and his own game would improve by adding that competition.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on October 04, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
As for Madueke himself, the winger joined Arsenal amid speculation that the Gunners could also make a move for Eberechi Eze.
Again, that could have been viewed negatively by the player, with some initial expectations that both Madueke and Eze might be competing for a spot on the left-wing. But the pair are friends, and Madueke reportedly messaged Eze to see if he’d be making the switch to Arsenal too.
In the end, Eze has ended up largely playing in midfield so far, whilst Madueke has primarily featured on the right-wing. With Martin Odegaard’s injury and Saka’s early setback, that’s where the pair have been most needed.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Eberechi Eze of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on November 23, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
It’s a positive sign that the players were all so keen to link up, both in terms of the squad harmony behind the scenes, and because it suggests their priority is Arsenal winning things.
All of them will want to be playing matches, there’s little doubt about that. But it seems they all understand that healthy competition is better than guaranteed starts by virtue of being the only serious option available.
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