Quantcast
Home   >   News   >   Pundit heaps praise on Arsenal star Noni Madueke

Pundit heaps praise on Arsenal star Noni Madueke

By on December 5, 2025

Former defender turned pundit Micah Richards has heaped praise on Arsenal star Noni Madueke following his ‘very good’ performance against Brentford.

Since rising through the Hale End academy, Bukayo Saka has established himself as a talismanic figure for his boyhood club. He even played almost every game over the last few years.

But following his lengthy hamstring injury last term, the Gunners decided to sign Madueke from Chelsea last summer to provide support for the 24-year-old.

Initially, questions were raised about whether the former PSV Eindhoven star would be the right option for Arsenal, as he had displayed inconsistent performances at Stamford Bridge.

However, Madueke has enjoyed a bright start this season. He was sidelined with a knee injury over the last couple of months, and after returning, he received his first start against Brentford in midweek, helping his side win the game 2-0.

Now, speaking on The Rest is Football Podcast, Richards says that Madueke is looking like a different player since returning from his injury and was ‘very good’ vs the Bees. As Madueke can provide cover on the right flank, it would allow Mikel Arteta to manage Saka’s minutes.

Pundit lauds Madueke

Richards said:

“It wasn’t [the most scintillating team performance] but I thought the link up between White and Madueke down that side was very good. Madueke looks like a new player.

“He came from Chelsea. A lot of question marks maybe because everyone expected [Mikel Arteta] to get a striker in and they went for him early doors, but he’s really playing well now. Saka can actually have a rest knowing that Madueke can do the business.”

In six starts across all competitions thus far this season, Madueke has netted only once, and it came against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Although the Englishman hasn’t been able to show his productivity yet, his overall performances have been really good.

Alongside providing cover on the right flank, Madueke, valued at around £44m by Transfermarkt, has also featured on the opposite side in a few games this season.

Following midweek’s victory over Brentford in the Premier League, Arsenal are currently five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.

This weekend, Arsenal will travel to Villa Park to take on in-form Aston Villa before facing off against Club Brugge away from home in the Champions League next week. Therefore, a tricky couple of encounters lie ahead for the North London club.