Arsenal’s season, once a story of dominance, now carries a subtle undercurrent of concern. While still perched atop the Premier League and Champions League standings, recent results – just two wins in five league games – have exposed vulnerabilities, particularly in the crucial striker position.
An injury crisis has decimated the forward line, sidelining Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus for extended periods. Even the summer’s touted solution, Viktor Gyokeres, has struggled to ignite, finding the net only six times in eighteen appearances despite a £64 million price tag. His return from a muscle problem hasn’t immediately solved the scoring woes.
Mikel Arteta has surprisingly found a temporary fix in midfielder Mikel Merino, who has contributed to seven goals in his last eight games while playing as a makeshift number nine. However, this unexpected success has only served to highlight Gyokeres’ difficulties in consistently delivering goals.
A surprising name has entered the conversation as a potential solution: Noni Madueke. Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino believes the young winger possesses the instincts and directness to thrive as a central striker, a role he’s rarely occupied throughout his career.
Cascarino, speaking on talkSPORT, pointed to Madueke’s ability to find scoring opportunities, stating he “sees the whites of the post.” He argues that Madueke’s qualities are often overlooked, and he could be a potent weapon in Arteta’s arsenal.
Madueke’s recent performance – a brace against Club Brugge – has already begun to win over Arsenal fans. While traditionally deployed on the wings, his form suggests a versatility that Arteta might be tempted to explore, potentially alongside established stars like Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
Chris Sutton, analyzing the Brugge match for BBC Match of the Day, lauded Madueke’s impact, noting he “did really well throughout the game and showed he is ready to do a job.” Sutton believes Madueke’s emergence provides Arteta with valuable tactical flexibility during a demanding period.
The coming weeks will be a defining moment for Arsenal. A challenging run of fixtures – mirroring a period last season where they dropped 13 crucial points – looms large. Arteta faces a critical decision: how to unlock the potential of his existing strikers, or whether to embrace a bold, unconventional solution like deploying Madueke in a central role.
The pressure is mounting as Manchester City rediscover their championship form, and the Premier League title race is tightening. Arteta’s ability to find the right attacking formula will be paramount to Arsenal’s hopes of finally lifting the trophy.
