Noni Madueke has opened up on what Mikel Arteta has specifically improved in his game since joining Arsenal.
The 24-year-old joined the Gunners from Chelsea last summer for £52 million in a deal which raised eyebrows from both sets of fans.
Fast forward to now, and Madueke has a Premier League winner’s medal and has a Champions League final to look forward to.
Speaking to The Athletic ahead of Saturday’s final, Madueke was asked what Mikel Arteta has added to his development.
“He has helped me to be diligent,” Madueke said. “He’s helped me to really care about really little details that count a lot towards winning games and fighting for major trophies.”
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Having spent two years at Chelsea without really challenging for major trophies, Madueke is glad he got his move.
The winger has made 27 starts across 42 appearances this season, adding much-needed attacking depth and relieving some of the burden off Bukayo Saka.
While maybe not always delivering, he has had his fair share of big moments, particularly in the Champions League, including a goal in the 3-1 win over Bayern Munich.
Perhaps his most important moment came in March, when Arteta’s bold decision to bring him on for Saka away to Bayer Leverkusen paid off as he won a vital late penalty.
Madueke’s confidence heading into Saturday’s final is evident, pushing back on the suggestion that PSG have a better attack than Arsenal and backing himself to make an impact on the biggest stage.
Still, not all Arsenal fans have been convinced by Madueke, whose direct style has occasionally seen him run out of space, adding to his inconsistent end product.
But Arteta has given him the licence to make mistakes and the framework to learn from them.
Mikel Arteta’s coaching is key to Noni Madueke’s development
Fellow summer signing Eberechi Eze has spoken about the intense demands Arteta places on his players, and how much he has learned from the manager.
Noni Madueke is the latest example of a player altering his game to fit the Arteta mould.
The Spaniard places huge emphasis on pressing and out-of-possession work, which has shaped Arsenal into Europe’s best defensive outfit.
His World Cup selection divided opinion, with Wayne Rooney among those who would have left Madueke out.
But Thomas Tuchel values Madueke’s ability to make an impact from the bench, which he has honed under Arteta.
At Chelsea, Madueke’s talent was never in doubt but there was clearly an unfulfilled winger there.
At Arsenal, under a manager who obsesses over the small details, he is a Premier League champion and Champions League finalist.
The difference, in his own words, is diligence.
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