By Gabriel Ameh
Noni Madueke strengthened his case for a bigger role at Arsenal after coming off the bench to score the winner in the Gunners’ 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
The England international struck in the 80th minute at the City Ground to secure three important points for Mikel Arteta’s side as they continue their Premier League title defence.
Madueke has started only one league match this season, although his recent performances have given Arteta plenty to consider.
The winger impressed in Arsenal’s victory over Leeds before featuring from the start against Lille in the Champions League, where he provided an assist. He was introduced at half-time against Forest and once again made a decisive contribution.
With Christos Tzolis currently sidelined by a hamstring injury suffered while on international duty with Greece, Madueke has an opportunity to establish himself more firmly in Arteta’s plans.
Arsenal had spent much of the summer searching for attacking reinforcements, with the left wing among the positions under consideration. Madueke, meanwhile, has often found himself competing for minutes alongside Tzolis and Eberechi Eze.
Against Forest, the 24-year-old made his opportunity count.
Having already taken defender Daniel Munoz on the outside several times, Madueke cut inside onto his right foot before firing a shot that took a deflection and found the net.
“I’d beaten him on the outside a couple of times, so I thought I’d come inside and just let rip,” Madueke said after the match.
Arteta has repeatedly described Arsenal’s substitutes as “finishers”, stressing their importance in deciding matches when opponents begin to tire.
Madueke’s recent displays suggest he is embracing that responsibility, although the winger appears determined to prove that he can offer more than a late attacking threat.
His arrival from Chelsea for £48.5m initially generated criticism from some Arsenal supporters, with concerns over his consistency and end product.
Last season, however, Madueke contributed eight goals and four assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.
His direct style and ability in one-on-one situations have also earned him recognition from England manager Thomas Tuchel and his coaching staff.
Arteta has also praised Madueke’s personality and influence within the Arsenal dressing room, describing him as a popular figure among his teammates.
The Arsenal manager believes the winger has recently added greater aggression and determination to his performances.
“He is in a good moment,” Arteta said. “After the break, he is showing something else, another level of anger, another level of conviction in his actions and he is becoming decisive in matches.”
Madueke’s impact also fits into Arteta’s wider belief in the importance of squad depth.
Since the beginning of last season, Arsenal substitutes have been involved in 26 Premier League goals, more than any other team in the division.
Bruno Guimaraes scored the decisive goal against Leeds after coming off the bench, while Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard also played important roles as substitutes in Arsenal’s recent Champions League victory over Lille.
Arteta insists Arsenal are not dependent on their bench players, pointing instead to the different ways his side have found to win matches.
“We have played 11 competitive matches and we won 10,” he said. “We are getting a variety of ways to win in many different contexts.”
Against Forest, Arsenal had to remain patient before Madueke eventually found the breakthrough.
Arteta had anticipated a tight contest against a well-organised Forest side but believed the game would open up as the physical intensity dropped.
The Arsenal boss was ultimately proved right, with Madueke providing the decisive moment and continuing his impressive run of form.
