Noni Madueke picked out Eberechi Eze for special praise following Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Wigan, applauding his team-mate on an ‘unbelievable’ performance.
Eze has faced some criticism in recent weeks, with the attacking midfielder struggling to make a major impact on the back of a high-profile £67.5million move from Crystal Palace.
Further questions were asked about Eze’s role under Mikel Arteta because the 27-year-old England international was removed at half-time within the Gunners’ 1-1 draw with Brentford on Thursday.
But this weekend, Eze silenced his critics with a resurgent display because the Premier League secured themselves a spot within the fifth round of the FA Cup with an emphatic victory over their League One opposition.
The previous Palace man assisted Arsenal’s first two goals, establishing Madueke before finding Gabriel Martinelli with an exquisite through ball, and was full of life throughout within the absence of the injured Martin Odegaard.
It stays to be seen if Eze will keep his place in Arteta’s starting XI when Arsenal return to top-flight motion away to lowly Wolves on Wednesday evening.
‘Yeah, he was unbelievable today,’ Madueke said of Eze’s impressive showing in his post-match interview with TNT Sports.
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‘He pulled all of the strings from the center and had a hand in all of the goals so I’m really pleased for him.’
On the Gunners’ progression into the fifth round, Madueke added: ‘I’m very happy. We were very skilled, we had the best intent… 4 goals and a clean sheet.
‘These games could be tricky sometimes should you don’t apply yourself properly but that wasn’t the case today so we’re really glad.’
Madueke got Arsenal up and running with a peaceful and composed finish after only 11 minutes on the Emirates – his third goal in five appearances in all competitions.
‘I thank God for my goal and for the win,’ the previous Chelsea attacker continued.
‘That’s my job, to try to help the team each time I play, and that’s my focus.
‘After we win it’s significantly better than after we draw, like we did against Brentford the opposite day.’
In keeping with Madueke, Arsenal’s fanbase ‘have every right’ to be enthusiastic about what trophies they might get their hands on over the approaching weeks and months.
‘I believe the fans have every right to be excited,’ he explained.
‘We’re working hard to try to deliver the variety of season which I believe it should be, with the way in which we’re performing right away. That’s our predominant focus.
‘It’s exciting but we want to hold on just doing the best things each day and see where we’re at the top.’
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