Noni Madueke swaps Chelsea blue for Arsenal red. The English winger joins Mikel Arteta’s side for €60 million to make his mark on the Gunners. With Arsenal very active in the transfer market, how will Madueke fit into the squad? We break it down below.
Who is Noni Madueke?
Born in Barnet (United Kingdom) on March 10, 2003, but of Nigerian Igbo descent, Chukwunonso Tristan Madueke is an English footballer with a market value of €40 million. He is a left-footed winger, stands 182 cm tall, and weighs 75 kg.
He began his youth career at Crystal Palace in 2011 before moving to Tottenham, where he stayed until 2018. That same year, he moved to PSV Eindhoven, where he made his professional debut and began to fulfill his potential.
In January 2023, he signed for Chelsea for around €35 million to strengthen their attack. After two seasons at the London club—where he never fully established himself (12 goals and 4 assists in 41 games) and occasionally displayed questionable behavior on and off the pitch—Arsenal decided to bring him in to reinforce their frontline.
€60 million may seem steep, but here’s why Arteta made the move.
An Explosive Winger
Destined to become one of the Premier League’s top wide players, Madueke is electric and energetic on the ball.
He excels in ball carrying, acceleration, and dribbling, but contributes less in passing and ball recovery. This makes his profile very clear: he’s a direct, vertical attacker who thrives in one-on-one situations and isn’t overly reliant on team build-up.
The area where he stands out most is frequency of drives (19.19 per 90), ranking him second among Premier League wingers.
In other standout stats, he ranks in the top five among English top-flight wingers for expected goals (0.43 per 90), progressive dribbles (5.31), touches in the opposition box (6.89), crosses into the box (0.85 per duel), successful dribbles (4.21), and duels won (50.1%).
This paints the picture of a winger who creates danger on his own without needing support from teammates.
Despite this, his average rating is 73/100—ranking him 26th among Premier League wingers. This is likely more due to limited playing time and fierce competition at Chelsea than any shortcoming in quality.
A Roadrunner on the Right
Madueke’s explosiveness consistently threatens defenses down the right flank. He frequently seeks vertical passes in behind or creates his own space through dribbles, quick changes of pace, or combination play.
His most common position is right winger (84% of matches), though he can play on the left—but is far less effective due to being on his weaker foot when cutting in. At Arsenal, he’ll likely compete with Saka for the right wing spot or cover the left wing for Martinelli.
What Makes Him Stand Out?
In 2046 Premier League minutes last season, Madueke led Chelsea in total shots (3.52 per 90), scoring seven goals overall. Interestingly, 25 of those shots came with his weaker foot, showing he’s not overly reliant on his stronger left.
Madueke’s attacking contribution is driven by direct runs into the final third, where he often follows up with a shot or assist. His top speed and agility make him difficult to contain in transition. His ability to dribble at pace and deliver crosses or cut-backs makes him an ideal complement to a classic center-forward—something Arsenal are reportedly targeting this window.
One of Arsenal’s weaknesses last season was their lack of effectiveness on counterattacks, despite their high possession and dominance. They often struggled to punish low-blocks with direct transitions.
Madueke could be the solution—his tactical profile offers a different dimension to Arteta’s possession-based team.
Transfer and Contract Details
Madueke joins Arsenal for a reported fee of €60 million and signs a long-term deal through 2030. After a mixed stint at Chelsea, he now aims to reignite his career in north London.
He earned roughly €3 million annually at Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea. At Arsenal, that figure is expected to rise to €4–5 million.
Martinelli Replacement or Saka Backup?
While Madueke is a natural left-footer who prefers the right wing, he is capable—albeit less effective—on the left.
Saka, Arsenal’s talisman, only featured in 53% of the team’s matches last season due to injuries. On the opposite wing, Martinelli underperformed and failed to match expectations, making Madueke a viable candidate for either flank.
The comparison between Madueke, Saka, and Martinelli shows that while Saka and Martinelli edge him in most offensive metrics, Madueke surpasses both in dribbling and ball carrying.
A Necessary Gamble—But Costly
They say you should never make the same mistake twice. With Madueke, Arteta seems to be banking on untapped potential rather than past performance. He’s a bold, dynamic, and unpredictable winger who could emerge as a game-changer on either side of Arsenal’s attack. €60 million may sound expensive now, but if Arteta unlocks his full potential, it might prove to be a bargain.