Pundit expects Madueke to be asking Arteta questions about game time

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·13 Maret 2026

Pundit expects Madueke to be asking Arteta questions about game time

Noni Madueke came off the bench to help Arsenal secure a 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

The Gunners introduced him in the second half to add greater threat down the right flank, and he duly won the late penalty that Kai Havertz converted to earn a valuable equaliser in Germany.

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Following a series of impressive performances this season, including his influential cameo against Leverkusen, questions are now being raised about whether he could challenge for a starting place ahead of Bukayo Saka.

Competition for a starting place

Pundit Charlie Austin, speaking on Sky Sports, offered his view on the situation and acknowledged the difficulty of breaking into the side given the quality already in the position.

“It’s a tough one.

“I think when he’s come on, the performances he’s put in have warranted starting.

“The issue that he has, unfortunately, is that Arsenal’s star boy plays in the same position as him, so it’s going to take the manager to make a brave decision to make that change.”

The former striker suggested that while Madueke’s performances have been impressive, the presence of an established figure in the same role means the manager would need to make a bold call to alter the current setup.

Nevertheless, Madueke’s growing influence has ensured that the debate around the right-wing position continues to gather momentum.

Impact off the bench

Austin also pointed to Madueke’s direct impact against Bayer Leverkusen as further evidence of his effectiveness when given the opportunity.

He added: “If I’m Noni Madueke, I’m asking the question: ‘What more can I do?’ because when he came on last night he changed the game…

“He got the ball, he ran at defenders, made things happen. In the 58, 59 minutes that Saka was on the pitch, he didn’t.”

In recent weeks, Madueke has been in excellent form for Arsenal, regularly producing strong performances from the bench and demonstrating his value to the team.

The Englishman appears to be enjoying life at Arsenal and has established himself as one of their most dependable attacking options. While he has not been flawless since his move, his determination and ability to influence matches have helped him win over many doubters, particularly during moments when Bukayo Saka has struggled to make the same level of impact.

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