DONE DEAL: COMPLETE A new striker has arrived in London to replace Viktor Gyökeres as Arsenal’s new forward. The player has signed a three-year deal for a low price and will take Gabriel Jesus’s jersey number.
It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say the last few weeks have felt like something of a whirlwind for Arsenal.
After a slow start to the transfer window, the Premier League runners-up have now officially announced the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Andrea Berta and Co don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon either, as both Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze continue to be heavily touted for moves to the Emirates.
However, the star that appears set to be announced by the club is Noni Madueke, and while he could be a hit, Mikel Arteta already has someone in his position worth millions more, and no, it’s not Bukayo Saka.
Why Arsenal want Madueke
It would be fair to say that the reaction to Arsenal’s interest and imminent signing of Madueke this week hasn’t exactly gone down well with large swathes of the fanbase.
However, when we take a look at some of his data, some things jump out and point to why Arteta and Co might want to bring him in.
For example, FBref ranked him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries and carries into the penalty area and the top 7% for total progressive carrying distance, all per 90
In a team that was sometimes critiqued by fans and pundits alike last season for being too slow and predictable in build-up, these attributes could be beneficial in disrupting opposition defences.
Moreover, he would be able to provide cover for the talismanic Saka and, in turn, help prevent him from being overplayed and picking up more injuries.
The Arsenal star worth millions more than Madueke
Arsenal are blessed with an abundance of incredible talents in their squad, but in this instance, we are talking about none other than Ethan Nwaneri.
The tremendously exciting youngster has been someone fans have known about since his debut at just 15 years old in 2022, but it was last season that he really shot to prominence.
In fact, the teenage talent has made such a splash in the last year or so that Football Transfers now value him at around €74.3m, which comes out to about £64m, or £12m more than Madueke is set to cost.
