Theo Walcott is worried that Mikel Arteta might be annoyed at Noni Madueke’s personality behind the scenes at Arsenal.
Madueke was superb against Club Brugge when Arteta fielded a heavily-rotated team, but at home to Wolves, the 23-year-old found himself stuck on the bench.
Fill in the blanks: When everyone is fit, Arsenal’s strongest front three is ___________ + ___________ + ___________
Mikel Arteta is facing a real conundrum at Arsenal!
The Gunners were chasing a goal against Wolves, and still the winger wasn’t brought on to the pitch, but fortunately, Bukayo Saka was on hand to carry the team to three points.
The former Arsenal star is now worried that Arteta could have an issue with Madueke and believes it’s a situation to keep an eye on.
Noni Madueke could have an issue with Mikel Arteta at Arsenal
Theo Walcott has suggested that Noni Madueke could be in slight trouble at Arsenal after being left on the bench against Wolves.
The ex-Arsenal winger claims he’s a big fan of Madueke, but could not understand why he was left on the bench during the weekend’s match.
He now worries that something more sinister may have occurred behind the scenes between the manager and the player.
Speaking about the situation, Walcott told the Overlap US: “What’s interesting as well, I felt there was a player midweek, Madueke, I’ve been a big fan of him the whole year, but he didn’t play. He was on the bench and didn’t come on.
Where is Noni Madueke’s best position for Arsenal?
Can Arteta fit him into the team with Saka?
“And you’re thinking, what’s he done? Because he’s done everything right on the field, but behind the scenes, he’s done something that he (Arteta) wasn’t quite happy with.
“Because now you need a goal. Who can you rely on to get you a goal in those moments? Luckily, they had Saka.
“But just keep your eye on that one, because at times, he might give people that impression that he can be a bit more arrogant, but look, it will be interesting to keep an eye on. I like him a lot.”
Noni Madueke is stuck behind Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka
In fairness, Madueke is competing with Saka for the right wing spot, and it’s rather tricky for the latter to be taken off when the team is chasing a goal.
It’s clear that the former Chelsea man operates best off the right, although Martin Keown has said he wants Saka and Madueke to start together.
The issue is that Leandro Trossard is undroppable right now, meaning that when everyone is fully fit, the Belgian and Saka would start on either flank.
Arteta will need to utilise his squad this season, so Madueke will get plenty of chances regardless, but in the big games, he is likely to be watching from the bench.
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