Mikel Arteta has backed Noni Madueke to show his quality with a consistent run in the Arsenal side, starting with Sunday's trip to Nottingham Forest. The manager confirmed the £52m signing will get more minutes in the coming weeks to build the form that has so far eluded him.
Arteta pointed to the hamstring injury to Christos Tzolis as an opening for the 24-year-old winger, who started on the left against Leeds United last weekend. Madueke responded by creating four chances and delivering the cross that led to Riccardo Calafiori's equaliser in a 2-1 comeback win. He then provided the assist for Jurrien Timber's opener in the midweek 3-0 Champions League victory over Lille.
The Arsenal manager believes a sequence of starts is what Madueke needs to find his best level. "If we give the possibility to any player to give him two or three or four games in a row, I think everybody will appreciate that because they will get more familiar with the players, more minutes, more confidence," Arteta said. He added, "If things go well, that is the ideal thing to do with all of them."
Arteta insists Madueke, who joined from Chelsea last summer, can be effective on either flank despite a natural preference for the right wing. With Tzolis sidelined, the manager sees the left side as a good fit for his different qualities, complementing the options already there. Competition remains fierce with Bukayo Saka, the club's top scorer this season with three goals, and Eberechi Eze also vying for places.
The call for Madueke to step up comes as Arsenal sit second in the Premier League with 15 points from six games, just three points behind leaders Manchester City. They travel to face 15th-placed Nottingham Forest on Sunday, a ground where Arteta's record is poor with just one win from five visits. The last two trips there have ended in goalless draws.
Arteta said the team has responded well with back-to-back wins since the international break, but he expects a tough match.
Madueke's improved involvement also comes after a frustrating start to the campaign where he managed only 40 minutes of combined action before the October break, a spell that cost him his England place. His recent performances have quietened early speculation about a potential move, with the player now focused on cementing his role. Arsenal's next challenge is at the City Ground, where Madueke is likely to start again as the Gunners look for a key away win.
More detail at Daily Mirror Football
