Paul Merson looking on while working as a pundit
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Arsenal will have to do without Bukayo Saka for some time.
The winger is set to be out for at least six weeks with the quad injury he suffered against Bayern Munich, and the right flank was always going to be a concern.
Against Everton on Saturday, Mikel Arteta’s side passed their first test without him, winning 2-0 to move level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table. And according to Paul Merson, the man who replaced Saka on the right now needs a run in the side.
Paul Merson on Noni Madueke’s showing against Everton
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Merson felt Noni Madueke did a decent job, though he wasn’t perfect.
“Madueke, he probably should have done better with one chance where he dragged it,” Merson said. “But the longer he plays in the team, the more confidence he’ll get. Scoring last week. He needs to play week in, week out.
“It’s hard for wingers, because you either get so much of the ball you don’t want it anymore, or you never get the ball. So for me, yeah, he did all right.”
Merson also praised Ben White, who supported Madueke well on the right and provided the assist for Gabriel’s goal. “Ben White’s good,” he said. “He backs the play up very well.”
Madueke is now set to get exactly the run of games Merson is talking about. He has been in good form recently: he scored the winner at Nottingham Forest, assisted the opener against Lille, and has now completed back-to-back 90-minute games for the Gunners. Captain Martin Odegaard said before the game that he’s “playing with confidence”, and when one pass didn’t come off early on, both Odegaard and Arteta were quick to tell him to keep his head up.
His next league test is at Anfield next Sunday, which might suit him well. Madueke has scored 13 of his 17 Premier League goals away from home, the highest ratio of any player in the competition’s history with at least 15 goals.