Madueke: Arsenal’s attack is only warming up | OneFootball

Noni Madueke believes Arsenal’s new-look frontline has shown only glimpses of its potential after a commanding 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Emirates.

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The England winger, making his first league start since joining from Chelsea, was central to Arsenal’s dominance. His corner was met by Martin Zubimendi, who volleyed home for his first goal in red and white, before Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres combined for the Swede’s third strike since arriving in north London. Zubimendi sealed the win, heading home a Leandro Trossard cross just a minute after the Belgian was subbed on.

Madueke’s direct running and quality delivery unsettled Forest’s defence throughout. In the opening half alone, he attempted 10 crosses, a figure unmatched by any Arsenal player in a Premier League first half since Samir Nasri against West Ham in 2009, according to Arsenal.com.

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Reflecting afterwards, Madueke said: “I think it’s instinctive – Ebz and I play similarly in terms of we don’t really think much – we just play what we see. In terms of the collective unit, Mikel gives us freedom to get the ball and to try and be dynamic and positive, and I think we did that today.

“We probably could have scored even more goals today, but that’s the process – we’re four games into the season. We’ve got our Champions League game on Tuesday and I think as the season goes on, you’ll see an even more clinical Arsenal side.”

The winger’s relentless energy was rewarded with chants of his name from the stands, something he admitted had made an impression. “That’s what I play the game for, trying to help my team win, but also to bring joy to the people that are coming to watch,” he explained.

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“You never know who’s watching for the first time or things like that, so that’s definitely in my mind to try and inspire the crowd a little bit.

“The love that the Emirates Stadium crowd have been showing me ever since my first game versus Villarreal in pre-season has been amazing. So, I’m so happy and God willing, it just continues.”

Arsenal’s attack looked fluid despite limited time together during the international break, with Madueke convinced the understanding will sharpen as the season progresses.

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Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta has nothing but praise for Madueke when he was asked what he brought to the squad. “A lot of courage, that’s how I describe him,” Arteta said. “A lot of quality but a lot of courage. When we were about to sign him and there was that reaction around him, I spoke to him and he was like: ‘I go for it, I cannot wait to put that shirt on and play for you guys.’ I said, wow, let’s bring him. If I was convinced before, I’m more convinced now that he’s going to do it.

“I think he has such a power, such a capacity to repeat efforts because to be able to do that physically, you have to have a different specimen, I think and he’s certainly that. But he’s very skilful, very unpredictable, he’s so willing to learn and he brings joy. I look at him and he’s always smiling, he’s always trying things.He gets one wrong, he goes again and that’s what I love about the creative players because you need that to be successful.”