‘Mutual respect’ – Noni Madueke on his competition with Bukayo Saka for Arsenal and England | OneFootball

Noni Madueke says he is enjoying competing with close friend Bukayo Saka for both club and country.

The Arsenal duo are vying for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s starting 11 at the World Cup this summer and will have the chance to impress the England boss this month when the Three Lions face Uruguay and Japan.

While both have the flexibility to play in different positions, they have been most often used on the right-wing.

But Madueke says the competition is pushing both to be better players.

“Of course it’s competition,” he said. “You guys probably see that more than we do.

“We don’t see it like that. We play for Arsenal and England and we’ve got the collective at the forefront of our minds all the time.

“Of course he’s a top player, someone I’m very close to and I’m glad I get to play with him for both club and country.

“I feel like when you play for a team like Arsenal and you play for England, competition is just a given. It’s something that’s always there at the highest level in football.

“Me, B or whoever, the focus has to be on England or your club as a collective and a whole and you just have to do your best.”

Madueke also discussed his friendship with his team-mate.

“Anyone who knows us or sees us knows we have a mutual love and respect for each other,” he said.

“There are bits of his game that I try and take and I think there are bits of mine he tries to take as well.

“We’re very, very close and we know regardless whose playing or things of that nature, we’re meant to be pulling in the same direction and that’s not going to change.”