Given Arsenal’s title win during the 2025/26 campaign, Mikel Arteta was always going to have to deal with the increased expectations placed on the squad by the supporters.
Such success has only fuelled the fans’ desire for added silverware, with the Spaniard already boasting a six point gap at the top of the Premier League this campaign.
One player in particular has already managed to impress during the current season, often having to step up to the plate due to injuries suffered by those around him.
Why Madueke has been Arsenal’s star attacker in 2026/27
In the absence of Bukayo Saka, Arsenal winger Noni Madueke has been tasked with providing the goods in attacking areas over the last couple of weeks.
The Englishman has now featured 13 times for the Gunners this term, with the vast majority of his performances in recent weeks coming in his preferred right-wing position.
He’s now registered three goals and an assist during the aforementioned outings, including the winner in the hard-fought meeting with Nottingham Forest.
Madueke has also achieved the highest average of chances created per 90 within the senior ranks this term, with the attacking ranking in the top 10% of all forwards in the division.
His tally of 2.9 successful dribbles per 90 this campaign is also the highest in Arteta’s squad, further highlighting the threat he’s posed to the opposition in recent weeks.
How Tzolis has failed to live up to expectations at Arsenal
As part of Arsenal’s summer recruitment drive to improve the attacking department, winger Christos Tzolis arrived from Belgian side Club Brugge for a reported £34m.
The Greek international was brought into the club to replace Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, but it’s safe to say he’s struggled to deliver due to the demands placed on his shoulders.
He’s now racked up 10 senior appearances for the Gunners since his arrival, but he’s failed to find the back of the net once – and only laid on two assists for his teammates.
None of his goal contributions have come in his last six games across all competitions, with his latest showing against Hull City another example of his struggles in attacking areas.
|
Arsenal attackers PL G+As (2026/27) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
G+A |
|
Bukayo Saka |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Kai Havertz |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Martin Ødegaard |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Noni Madueke |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Christos Tzolis |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Viktor Gyökeres |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Eberechi Eze |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Tzolis only managed to complete 79% of the passes he attempted, whilst being unable to pick out a teammate with any of the four crosses he delivered into the opposition box.
His tally of just one pass into the final third and inability to create any big chances showcases his struggles within attacking areas of the pitch at present.
How Arsenal have already signed a bigger talent than Tzolis
There’s little denying that Tzolis’ slow start to life at Arsenal has heaped doubt on whether he will be able to be the player to catapult the Gunners to sustained success in the Premier League.
Such an area has become a problem with Arteta’s squad over recent months, with the hierarchy unable to fully overhaul the department during the summer window.
However, such issues could be solved in the near future, with the board recently completing a deal to sign 17-year-old winger Andria Bartishvili in the summer of 2027.
The Gunners have paid a reported £4m to sign the attacker from homeland club FC Kolkheti, and is seen as a project for the long-term future of the football club.
Bartishvili’s nationality has naturally already drawn comparisons to PSG sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with both being talents who can manipulate the play with their dribbling ability.
Such a comparison is nothing short of remarkable for the teenage star, as his compatriot managed to finish sixth in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings a couple of weeks ago.
As for the Georgian, he’s currently spending the season on loan at Iberia 1999, and has already managed to find the back of the net three times this campaign.
Such a loan spell will also give him the opportunity to showcase his talents in the UEFA Conference League, which could prove to be vital if he’s to progress into an elite talent.
Should he impress before his move to the Emirates in the winter, there’s no reason why he can’t become a player who can thrive under Arteta’s guidance.
Tzolis’ slow start has already seen him be outscored by the 17-year-old this campaign, with Bartishvili a player who is already showing confidence way beyond his tender years.
His arrival next summer could see him catapulted into the senior ranks and be the next in a long line of teenagers to become a fan favourite as a result of their efforts at the Emirates.
He will no doubt need time to settle into life in England, but there’s no reason why the youngster can’t be the club’s long-term solution to their ongoing attacking issues.
The Georgian’s recent burst onto the professional scene is a hugely welcome sight, and it’s not too controversial to say he’s already a player who can dislodge the Greek man from his starting role.
