Noni Madueke set for big Arsenal role amid caution over Bukayo Saka fitness - starting against Chelsea | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has said Gunners must ‘manage’ Saka ahead of run-in

Noni Madueke got his wish after Arsenal's win over Leeds.

That went down as an own goal, leaving Madueke far from impressed when he was told after the match.

Madueke has since been credited with it and it means he got and an assist at Elland Road, his first Premier League goal involvements since joining Arsenal in the summer.

Madueke scored and registered an assist at Leeds on Saturday

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The 23-year-old has had more of an impact than those stats suggest. He has scored three times in the Champions League, including a stunning strike from distance against Club Brugge.

Madueke made a sharp start to the season, looking bright on both flanks and quickly going some way to quieten the criticism that had surrounded his move from Chelsea.

However, a knee injury stalled his progress as he missed two months and then struggled for minutes on his return. Between September 21 and January 1, Madueke started only one Premier League match.

It was maybe not surprising, then, that his output in the final third was largely frustrating, with his decision making in the decisive moments often lacking.

Passes in behind were overhit, heavy touches ran out of play, and his finishing was far from convincing.

However, the underlying stats have been promising. No Premier League players has had more touches in the opposition box per 90 minutes than Madueke and only five had completed more take-ons.

In a team and particularly an attack that can often take the safe option and play in a formulaic manner, Madueke's direct running and unpredictability has been a welcome addition.

Arteta has said Arsenal need to “manage” Bukayo Saka carefully so Madueke looks set for a big role in the run-in.

Saka pulled out in the warm-up against Leeds

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With Saka still a doubt with the injury that saw him ruled out of the Leeds match and Madueke come into the starting lineup at the last minute, there is every chance Madueke keeps his place for a huge occasion.

Arsenal host Chelsea tonight in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie, having won 3-2 at Stamford Bridge in the first encounter.

Madueke will be keen to prove a point against his former club, having only come off the bench in the Premier League match with the Blues and then not featured in the first leg of this tie last month.

Chelsea decided Madueke was surplus to requirements in the summer, selling him to create space for Estevao Willian and using the funds to prioritise moves for Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens.

Should Madueke start on the right wing as currently looks likely he will be up against Marc Cucurella, who he had plenty of training-ground contests with.

Cucurella and Saka have had some brilliant battles in recent seasons and now it will be on Madueke to try and get the better of one of the league's best left-backs.

With confidence high after a stellar display against Leeds and with motivation perhaps even higher, Madueke will be looking to fire Arsenal to Wembley.