Arteta names fringe star who’s Arsenal’s “best” player in training he can’t wait to unleash
Arsenal made hard work of it, but they bounced back from the 3-0 defeat at Brighton before the international break with a 2-1 home victory against Leeds United on Saturday.
The visitors took a surprise lead through James Justin not long after half-time, but goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes ensured the Gunners came away with all three points, and they remain second in the Premier League table.
Of course, with Manchester City appealing their guilty verdict, the picture is still unclear near the top of the league, but all Mikel Arteta can do is focus on his own results, and a return of 15 points from six matches is certainly nothing to be sniffed at.
With Arteta looking to take the final step and win the Champions League this season, having strength in depth will be very important, and the Spaniard made four changes against Leeds, ahead of the Champions League clash against Lille on Tuesday night.
Arteta was forced to replace Christos Tzolis due to injury, with Noni Madueke taking his place, featuring on the left-wing for just the second time since joining from Chelsea in the summer of 2025.
Mikel Arteta explains Noni Madueke selection
It sounds like Madueke may have been given the nod in the starting XI regardless of injuries, with the Arsenal boss revealing the England international has impressed him in training and is set to be unleashed more in his second season at the club.
“What he’s done is raise the level. And in training he’s been the best player in the last 10 days. You could see that every time he was in and around the ball, he looked a threat.”
Arteta added the winger “took his chance” in the 2-1 triumph, after being benched for three of the previous five Premier League games following an up and down first campaign in North London.
The comments suggest the 24-year-old could have an increased role in the team going forward though, and it is no surprise, given that he impressed with his dribbling, albeit he failed to pick up a goal or an assist.
|
Noni Madueke’s performance vs Leeds |
Number completed |
|
Dribbles (successful) |
2 (2) |
|
Key passes |
4 |
|
Big chances created |
1 |
|
xG |
0.28 |
|
Aerial duels (won) |
1 (1) |
Madueke lasting the entire 90 minutes could also be interpreted as a show of confidence from Arteta, and it may be difficult for Tzolis to force his way back into the side upon his return from injury, having failed to find the net in his first five matches for the Gunners.
