'It should be strange': Noni Madueke makes Bukayo Saka admission as Arsenal stars battle for England spot | OneFootball

Arsenal stars are in a unique situation for both club and country

Noni Madueke has explained what it is like competing with Bukayo Saka on the right wing for both England and Arsenal — and has revealed how their styles are different.

Madueke and Saka share game time in the right wing position both for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta and for England under Thomas Tuchel.

The ex-Chelsea man started both of England’s first two matches of the World Cup as Saka worked his way back up to full fitness after an Achilles issue.

But Saka came in for the 2-0 win over Panama and it is thought that he could continue to start in the knockout stages for England.

Madueke, 24, was asked to describe his relationship with Saka and how it feels to be in competition for the same position and match minutes.

“Obviously, it is well-documented that we're very close,” Madueke said. “So normally it should be a little bit strange [to be competing]. But it's not.

Healthy competition: Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka

PA

Madueke then revealed what he sees as the key difference in terms of the two players’ respective approaches to the right wing position and their skillsets.

“In terms of how we differ, I think I thrive in space and he [Saka] thrives in congestion,” Madueke said.

Despite the game being a knockout match, DR Congo are expected to set up reasonably defensively against England — something the Three Lions found a difficult obstacle to overcome in the group stage against Ghana and Panama.

“I feel like it is not just us,” Madueke said. “Every team has difficulties with the opposition [sitting back]. It is not easy to break down. I think we've seen other top nations struggle as well.”