Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about something Noni Madueke has done since joining the club that he thinks is “remarkable”.
Noni Madueke swapped Chelsea for Arsenal earlier this summer in a deal that could be worth up to £52million.
Madueke went on to make his Arsenal debut on Wednesday night, coming off the bench for a cameo in the 3-2 friendly loss to Villarreal.
Arteta spoke to the Arsenal media team after the game and revealed what Madueke had done that has really impressed him.
Noni Madueke of Arsenal looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal and Villarreal at Emirates Stadium on August 06, 2025
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Mikel Arteta impressed as Noni Madueke cuts holiday short to join up with Arsenal squad
Madueke featured for Chelsea at the Club World Cup earlier this summer and, as a result, was not part of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia.
However, Madueke cut his holiday short so he could link up with his new teammates and get as much of a pre-season under his belt as possible.
When asked by the Arsenal media team whether Madueke had indeed returned early, Arteta said: “Yeah, without asking about it.
“He showed a lot of desire to come and join us from day one and I think what he’s done is remarkable.
“I think it shows how much he wants it, how willing he is to put everything that he can to make this work.
“I think the reception he got from our supporters was brilliant as well.
“So great, again, another one through the door that has the first experience with us and on Saturday he’ll go again.”
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Where Mikel Arteta plans to use Noni Madueke
Arteta was also asked where Madueke would fit in the squad, having featured on the left wing against Villarreal despite having played most of his career on the right.
“Both sides,” said Arteta. “I think Noni, when you ask him, he’s very comfortable playing right and left so if we want to have inverted footed players, we can do that.
“He’s a real threat, I wouldn’t want to play against him and we want to find something else and playing with natural-footed players, he’s going to give us that solution.
“Today you’ve already seen a couple of balls that he put in the box, the pace and the quality he can deliver. So, great option.”
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will in fact make a move for an established left-winger or whether Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli will compete on that side this season.