Arsenal finally ended their 22-year wait for a Premier League title this season, but one of last summer's key signings has already been told he is not good enough to stay. Mikel Arteta's side secured their first championship since the Invincibles in 2004, and reached their first Champions League final since 2006, powered by a £300m spending spree over the past eight months. But one of those recruits, Noni Madueke, has come under fire after a tricky first campaign at the Emirates.
The 23-year-old winger was signed for £50m from Chelsea last summer, yet contributed only four league goals as Arsenal pipped Manchester City to the title in the final week. Despite that, Madueke earned a place in England's squad for the World Cup, with manager Thomas Tuchel confirming he is “100 per cent” fit – unlike Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka, who is playing through pain. “Bukayo is still getting there, playing through discomfort,” Tuchel said. “He is the one we are building and taking care of in training. He is not able to do every training session through the week and then play.” Saka missed full training but was available for England's opener against Croatia, with Tuchel adding that Madueke could stake a claim for a starting spot.
“Emmanuel Petit tells Arsenal to sell £50m winger Noni Madueke after disappointing season with only four league goals.”
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit, however, wants Arteta to push Madueke towards the exit. Speaking to talkSPORT, Petit said: “Noni Madueke, for me, isn’t good enough, I’m sorry to say that, but he must do much more than that to improve.” Petit argued the club still need wingers with “strong and powerful” qualities and urged Arsenal to “show some players the exit door too”, mentioning Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus as possible departures. He would keep Leandro Trossard and is undecided on Viktor Gyökeres, who also arrived last summer. “We need to improve up front,” Petit added.
Arteta, who was backed by sporting director Andrea Berta with a raft of signings including Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, and Cristhian Mosquera, now faces a summer of decisions as he prepares to defend the title. Whether Madueke remains part of those plans appears increasingly uncertain.