The improvements in Noni Madueke's game that have attracted Arsenal

New York Times

11 hours ago

One thing Arsenal might have learnt from 2024-25 is the value of having options to choose from.
Last season the club's Premier League and Champions League chances were impacted by unfortunate injuries, which left them short of replacements at key moments.
More game time for a selected group of players increased their physical load, and by the end of the season there were moments when Mikel Arteta's side looked fatigued.
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Load management is another area where having a stronger squad has its benefits. It allows you to rest your star players without dropping the overall level of the team.
Currently, Arsenal are looking at different profiles for a more versatile attacking player, with Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke all in the mix. Rogers' and Eze's profiles have common characteristics, but Madueke is more of a winger who operates better near the touchline.
It is with Madueke that the club have agreed personal terms, as reported by The Athletic, and here is what may makes him appealing to Arsenal.
Let's start with Madueke's obvious strengths. The 23-year-old is a direct dribbler who thrives in one-versus-one situations and is able to play on either flank, with the majority of his minutes coming down the right wing.
Arsenal's focus on attacking those areas plays to Madueke's profile, and his ability out wide would offer Arteta an additional option, and the chance to rest Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli more often.
Madueke's dribbling is the most eye-catching part of his game, with his speed and ability to go both ways being vital.
Last season, 33 per cent of his total carries in the Premier League were progressive, defined as carries greater than five metres and move the ball at least five metres towards the opposition goal — only Jeremy Doku (38 per cent) had a higher share among players who played at least 900 minutes.
Madueke is able to drive at defenders while controlling the ball close to him and pushing it forward at the right moment, as in this example from Chelsea's 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
His other dribbling option in the wide areas is taking the defender on the outside, as illustrated in his carries map below.
Down the right flank, Madueke's dribbling on the outside theoretically puts him on his weaker foot, but his ability to use his right foot to strike at goal or pick one of his team-mates is actually one of his strengths.
Here, against Nottingham Forest in October, Murillo decides to force Madueke to dribble outside, something the right winger is more than happy to do. Madueke drives past the Forest centre-back, before playing the cutback with his right foot to Cole Palmer.
Another feature of Madueke's game is his ability to create shooting situations for himself. The fact that he is able to shoot with either foot from different angles makes him unpredictable, and that is complemented by his talent in opening up shooting angles by taking small touches of the ball.
In this example, from the 3-2 victory against Luton Town in December 2023, Madueke is in a one-versus-two situation with Malo Gusto's late run providing support.
Alfie Doughty's position prevents Madueke from setting up a left-footed shot, but Gusto's run grabs the attention of Amari'i Bell, and the right winger capitalises.
Madueke brings the ball onto his right foot…
… and strikes it from a narrow angle, with Bell trying to close the space between himself and Doughty.
The fact that Madueke can dribble in both directions and shoot with either foot affects the defender's body shape, giving the winger a fraction-of-a-second advantage if he takes the correct touch.
Here, in the same match against Forest, Alex Moreno is in a neutral body shape to be able to defend both directions…
… but Madueke realises the space is inside and dribbles towards that area as Forest's left-back adjusts his shape.
The weight of Madueke's second touch creates enough separation from Moreno, and opens up the shooting angle, allowing Chelsea's right winger to score the equaliser.
Last season, Madueke got into better shooting situations compared with his first full season in the Premier League, scoring seven goals to help Chelsea finish in fourth place.
The winger's 0.42 non-penalty expected goals (xG) per 90 was more than double his rate in 2023-24, while the average quality of his shots also improved.
The defensive aspect of the game is something Madueke has been working on in recent seasons. 'I feel like a lot of my improvement is coming and needs to come on the defensive side,' he told Chelsea's official channels last year.
'I feel like I am strong on the offensive side of the game. I just (need to) keep chipping away at those weaknesses and try and make them strengths.'
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Throughout 2024-25, Madueke's hard work helped Chelsea when they didn't have the ball, especially in the pressing phase.
The right winger has a strong understanding of how to curve his runs to block passing lanes and knows the right moment to pounce on the defender.
In this example, from the 1-0 victory against Everton in April, Madueke is defending the left side as Nicolas Jackson presses Jake O'Brien.
Initially, Madueke's closed body shape indicates that he is anticipating a pass towards Everton's right-back, Nathan Patterson…
… but when he feels that O'Brien may play the ball through the lines, he slightly opens his body to be ready for that pass.
Everton's right centre-back plays the ball to Patterson and Madueke moves in his direction…
… but once the right-back takes a heavy touch that forces him inside the pitch, Chelsea's left winger arcs his run to block the in-field passing lane because that is the only available option.
Under pressure, Patterson dribbles backwards and Madueke harries him, eventually winning possession.
Arsenal's interest in Madueke makes sense considering how Arteta's team likes to attack and the importance of their out-of-possession phases. Madueke's directness and ability to create shooting situations are skills that suit Arsenal, while his finishing and improved crossing are areas that can be developed.
Out of possession, his explosiveness and understanding of pressing roles fit Arsenal's strengths and may explain part of his appeal.
Having Madueke alongside Saka, Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri would bolster Arsenal's options in the wide areas, and prevent the forward line from being stretched, either because of injuries or sheer physical load.
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