Noni Madueke told reporters ahead of the UEFA Champions League final that he is expecting to be battling with Bukayo Saka for minutes for the foreseeable future.
06:00, 27 May 2026
Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are both fighting for Arsenal's right wing spot
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Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are both fighting for Arsenal's right wing spot(Image: Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Noni Madueke expects his rivalry with Bukayo Saka for the right wing spot at Arsenal to extend into the ‘foreseeable’ future as the close friends prepare for the UEFA Champions League final.
Both players have scored important goals against big clubs this season. Madueke’s first in an Arsenal shirt came against Bayern Munich during the league phase when the Gunners put down their first marker of the season to the rest of Europe. This came during a period when Saka remained injured and unable to join the group and in his stead, Madueke stepped up.
Saka did however score the all important goal against Atletico Madrid that has subsequently sent Arsenal to Budapest where they will take on PSG. The Premier League title has now been won, but Madueke does not think this takes any pressure off Saturday’s big season-ender.
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“No. It's separate,” he said. “Okay, the pressure of the Champions League is there, but pressure is with us all the time.
“This is Arsenal Football Club. One of the biggest teams in England. The Champions League is, of course, the big one. So we're looking forward to it.”
It is a chance for the Gunners to win something they have never been able to secure before. Only once has the side reached this stage, in 2006, when they were beaten 2-1, ironically in Paris, by Barcelona.
Winning the two biggest trophies in a single season would elevate the achievement to heights perhaps even the Invincibles cannot match. Madueke believes the Champions League is a level above what they have already won domestically.
"Given what we witnessed here at the training ground the other night?” Madueke began. “Man, that would be amazing.
“Champions League is so big, you know. The Premier League is massive, but the Champions League is so big to be able to do that for the first time in the history of the club would be amazing
“To then celebrate it with all the Arsenal fans would be the cherry on top!”
Saka is expected to start the final on the right, meaning any impact Madueke will have will likely come from the bench. He has needed to bide his time for chances this season, but recognises both players want what is best for the club.
“Yeah, it's been different for sure,” he said about fighting with Saka for a place compared to when he was at Chelsea. “But yeah, B is a top player.
“A fight on all fronts. Same for England. Same for Arsenal. But it's been good. We know that we're pulling in the same direction.”
Madueke has certainly added what was not there before, which is depth for Saka. It has helped Arteta to rotate his squad more effectively than ever before.
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“Yes, amazing to have two. High-level players. But completely different, you know," Madueke said. "So yeah, there's definitely parts of his game I try and implement into mine. He probably say the same. So we're so close off the pitch. I think that’s well documented.”
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