Chris Sutton says a ‘really smart’ Arsenal signing not only strengthened Mikel Arteta’s squad but damaged London rivals Chelsea.
Premier League and Champions League leaders Arsenal suffered a rare defeat at Aston Villa on the weekend but got back to winning ways against Club Brugge on on Wednesday night.
Noni Madueke’s brace and a Gabriel Martinelli stunner inspired Arsenal’s routine 3-0 win in Belgium because the Gunners maintained their perfect record in Europe.
Ex-Premier League striker Sutton was particularly impressed by Madueke’s performance and said the England winger is increasingly looking like a ‘really smart signing’ for the Gunners.
Sutton also believes Madueke was a big ‘loss’ to Chelsea after he swapped west for north London in a summer deal price just over £50m.
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‘It wasn’t just along with his goals that Noni Madueke made an impact, he did rather well throughout the sport and showed he’s able to do a job when he is named upon,’ Sutton said on BBC’s Match of the Day.
‘Rather a lot is product of Arsenal’s strength in depth this season, and for the time being Arteta has got a number of injuries in key positions.
‘But in those wide areas he has got loads of options and the very fact he could bring Madueke and Martinelli off the bench against Villa on the weekend after which start them tonight and see each of them rating sensible goals is an actual positive.
‘Increasingly, Madueke looks like a very smart signing. I already thought he was a loss to Chelsea, but you might be seeing now he’s back from injury that Arsenal can have Saka off that right side, or use him – it bodes rather well for them with such a busy period coming up.
‘Madueke was a relentless threat off that right-hand side tonight. He likes to return inside and get shots off, and got the second goal by attacking the far post too, which just about sealed the sport.
‘Gabriel Martinelli was not so effective off the left but still got a very good goal and overall it was a very good evening for Mikel Arteta whenever you consider how stretched his squad is and the way drained they checked out the weekend.
‘So for Arsenal to win away like this within the Champions League is an amazing result for them.
‘In the primary half there wasn’t really much in it, just the goal from Madueke, and Club Brugge had a number of probabilities but even with Norgaard having to fill in at centre-half, they still looked quite regular.
‘Ultimately though it was nearly getting three points for Arsenal and avoiding any more injuries they usually achieved each of those goals.
‘They’re still top of the Champions League they usually still have a 100% record.
‘They know they have to be going through they usually even have the posh of perhaps resting players now of their next game against Inter, which is precisely where Arteta desires to be.’
As Sutton mentioned, Arsenal have now all but secured their place within the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The Gunners reached the semi-finals last season before losing to eventual winners PSG, but look a fair larger threat in Europe this term.
Speaking after Arsenal’s win over Club Brugge, Madueke said: ‘The primary goal was very nice, second a faucet in but the primary one was sweet. We’re delighted with the result.
‘I feel the bare minimum I would like to offer to my team is threat. Obviously attempting to rating and be as decisive as possible, that’s the following level I would like to get to when it comes to being consistently decisive for club and country. I feel I can reach that level.’
In addition to being one of the best team within the Champions League, Arsenal have been one of the best within the Premier League, boasting a two-point lead at the highest of the table despite Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa.
Asked what he believed Arsenal could achieve this season, Madueke added: ‘We’re fighting on all fronts.
‘I feel like we will win this competition and win the league, that has to be the aim. We’re in place for the time being.’
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