Why Noni Madueke will not go on Arsenal’s pre-season tour after star passes medical ahead of £52m transfer

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Noni Madueke has passed his medical ahead of a £52 million move to Arsenal.

The England international enjoyed a relatively productive 2024/25 season, netting eleven goals and providing four assists across all competitions.

This form prompted the Gunners to move quickly to secure his services, with Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta viewing him as the perfect option to provide cover and competition for Bukayo Saka.

Berta agreed a £52 million deal with Chelsea for Madueke last week, and the winger subsequently left the West London outfit’s Club World Cup camp in the United States to travel to London to complete the formalities ahead of the transfer.

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Noni Madueke won’t go on Arsenal’s pre-season tour

Madueke completed his Arsenal medical in London on Monday and likely carried out his media duties ahead of the signing being made public.

The announcement is expected on Tuesday, with the 23-year-old set to become Berta’s fourth signing in N5, after Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.

While Arteta would no doubt like to bring Madueke on tour with the rest of his squad to Singapore this month, so that he can integrate into the team and their system, the player isn’t expected to be on the plane to Southeast Asia.

Having played for Chelsea in the Europa Conference League final on May 28th, and then for England in early June, all before the Club World Cup that has taken place over the last month or so, Madueke is yet to enjoy a holiday.

The England international has been playing non-stop football over the last 12 months, since the 2024/25 domestic season kicked off last August.

He is due a rest, and the Premier League standard generally stipulates that players should be granted at least a three-week break in the off-season.

Completing his medical on Monday, Madueke’s holiday arguably starts now, meaning he should commence full Arsenal pre-season training from August 4th.

The Gunners will have returned from Asia by that point, having played matches against AC Milan and Newcastle in Singapore, and Tottenham in Hong Kong.

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When could Noni Madueke make his Arsenal debut?

With Madueke almost guaranteed to be absent from the upcoming three tour matches, the winger won’t be making his debut until Arsenal return to North London.

Arsenal face Villarreal on August 6th at the Emirates, before taking on Athletic Club a few days later in N5.

If the new signing does indeed return to training on August 4th, then it’s possible that he’s involved in some capacity against Villarreal.

That said, he may be limited to just a short cameo against the Spanish side, as he’ll likely only have had a handful of training sessions before that clash.

It’s more likely that Arteta will be cautious when integrating Madueke, making the Athletic Club game a more likely occasion for his debut.

This minimal pre-season may mean Madueke is something of a peripheral figure in the opening weeks of the new campaign as he attempts to build his way back up to full fitness.