Arsenal’s 2025-26 Premier League campaign kicks off on Sunday afternoon, with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United the first test for last season’s runners-up.
The Gunners have strengthened over the summer, with the North London club desperate to win silverware and compete for top spot domestically.
Arsenal signed Noni Madueke from Chelsea, along with the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres, with the London outfit looking to add strength in depth.
However, despite Madueke’s eye-catching £48.5 million price tag, the England international may well have to come to terms with limited playing time this season.
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 Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
Madueke second fiddle to Bukayo Saka
The new Arsenal winger brings trickery and a direct approach to Mikel Arteta’s attacking options, but in reality Madueke may have to settle for a place on the Gunners’ bench more often than not.
Bukayo Saka is probably the first name on the Arsenal teamsheet when available and the England international will be selected in Madueke’s favoured right wing position.
Saka’s influence on Arsenal’s side has been growing in recent years, with the 23-year-old’s absence being felt last season when he was injured.
Despite only playing 25 Premier League games in 2024-25, Saka contributed to 16 Gunners goals, scoring six himself and laying on 10 more with assists.
With Saka starring for both club and country, Madueke’s chances to play – especially in the Premier League and Champions League – could well be limited.
Although Madueke has played left wing in pre-season, the reaction from the Arsenal fans to this has generally been negative.
Ethan Nwaneri’s new contract demands playing time
Ethan Nwaneri signed a new Arsenal contract earlier this summer and while the 18-year-old has shown versatility to operate in a number of positions, he also featured heavily on the right wing last season.
The teenager is a mercurial talent and the Gunners will have feared losing him to a rival before tying him down to a new deal.
Ethan Nwaneri Signs A New Long-Term Contract At Arsenal
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Part of that new contract will have been a guarantee of increased game time, with Nwaneri surely looking to grow into a player who starts regularly for Arsenal in big games.
As such, Arteta’s starting XI to face United on Sunday will be fascinating.
With summer recruits and a number of options available in the final third, it feels likely that Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and either Gyokeres or Kai Havertz will start at Old Trafford.
For Madueke, it may well be a realisation that he will need to work hard and receive an element of fortune if he is going to get close to the 27 Premier League starts he made at Chelsea last season.