Sam Allardyce says Arsenal have made a signing this summer who is a seven out of 10

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal have added several players to their squad this summer, including the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi.

After finishing second for a third consecutive season, the Gunners have opted to outlay almost £200 million on incoming players, in an attempt to close the gap on Champions Liverpool.

Gyokeres signed from Sporting CP for a deal that could total £63 million with add-ons, while Madueke and Zubimendi both arrived for in excess of £50 million.

Meanwhile, the likes of Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga were added for modest fees to improve the depth of Mikel Arteta’s squad.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Sam Allardyce says Noni Madueke signing is a 7/10

Madueke joined from Chelsea for £52 million in mid-July, arriving in N5 as a divisive figure.

Many felt that investing such a significant sum of money on a player to deputise for Bukayo Saka could ultimately end up being a poor allocation of resources.

However, the England international could cement himself as the first-choice left-wing option at the Emirates, and has demonstrated enough throughout his career to suggest he could explode.

Sam Allardyce is optimistic about the deal, agreeing with former Charlton Athletic manager Chris Powell that Madueke is a ‘seven out of ten’ signing.

“I said seven,” Powell said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.

“I think I might be seven again, because I think it’s a good move with regard to, they played Saka too much last year. And invariably, he gets kicked because 1v1, he beats players, he attracts players, he attracts the fouls.

“And I think they’ll be able to manage Saka better playing the bigger games. Madueke might play in the Premier League when they’re saving Saka for the Champions League and vice versa. So I think it’s a decent squad signing.

“I don’t think he’ll play regularly, but I think he’ll get enough game time to rest Saka and still have enough quality to beat whoever they’re playing.

“Seven, Sam?” Allardyce was asked.

“Yeah, I’ll go with that,” he responded.

Noni Madueke can prove to be a bargain for Arsenal

Madueke will no doubt be delighted to have the support of Allardyce and Powell, although he has been dubbed something of a floor raiser, rather than a ceiling raiser.

He will certainly raise Arsenal’s floor, given he’s an adept back-up to Saka, which the Gunners haven’t had at their disposal in the past.

However, he also has the potential to thrive, take the North Londoners to another level and prove to be a bargain.

Deployed off the left, Madueke’s game should be simplified, with his remit being to drive to the by-line and cut the ball back for his on-rushing teammates.

This should also give him better angles to shoot from on his stronger foot, which could see his goal output explode.

Arteta will no doubt envisage an extremely productive season from a player who has the raw ingredients but hasn’t quite been able to put everything together yet.