Paul Merson has been stunned by one ‘absolutely outstanding’ Arsenal star, having not rated the player prior to signing for Mikel Arteta’s team.
Arsenal travel to Everton on Saturday night knowing that victory will make sure that they shall be top of the Premier League table at Christmas.
It’s been a fantastic season for the Gunners to date, who’re reaping the rewards of spending big in the summertime, bolstering their squad with eight latest players.
Amongst them was Noni Madueke, whose £52million switch from rivals Chelsea was met with hostility from Arsenal fans and there was even a petition – signed by 1000’s – demanding the club cancel the transfer.
The 23-year-old was good but not spectacular for the Blues, scoring 11 and assisting five in 46 appearances last season, with many pundits baffled by Arteta’s decision to sign him for such great expense.
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The England international has quickly proven the doubters mistaken nonetheless, with the winger’s electric performances lighting up the Emirates and lessening the dependence on Bukayo Saka.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Arsenal hero and lifelong Chelsea fan Merson heaped praise on Madueke and admitted he was ‘horribly mistaken’ concerning the forward.
He said: ‘If there’s one player I might have sold firstly of the season from Chelsea, it could have been him. I hardly saw him have an excellent game with Chelsea. He never went past players, extremely popular and cold.
‘But since he’s been at Arsenal, he’s been a revelation, he’s been absolutely unbelievable. Arsenal play loads quicker, they get the ball out to the wingers and so they can go and have a go.
‘1v1, I believe he’s top-of-the-line about, he’s top-of-the-line wingers. In case you give him the ball 1v1, he doesn’t mess about. He’s not fussed about doing tricks. He’s very direct, runs at real pace and while you’re a defender you don’t want people running with you at pace.
‘He very rarely stops the ball, he gets the ball and he goes bang that way, like Mo Salah did, and other people can’t tackle you while you’re doing that. He’s been absolutely outstanding. I got it horribly mistaken!’
While he’s yet to register a goal contribution within the Premier League, Madueke has found the back of the online thrice within the Champions League, firing Arsenal to the highest of the league phase table.
When everyone seems to be fit, Madueke is behind Saka within the pecking order, but Merson believes the specter of each wingers within the squad significantly aids Arsenal’s possibilities of winning silverware.
Asked how a defender would react if he saw Madueke coming off the bench for Saka, Merson replied: ‘There’s nothing worse!
‘If you see someone’s number come up you think that, “I’ve removed him”. After which impulsively another person comes on who’s just very similar and fresh.
‘That’s what they needed. The following a part of the season with the Champions League and the Premier League gets harder.
‘To swap players like-for-like, it’s very rare you’ll be able to get that. Normally you bring a top of the range player off, you’re really weakening the team. But you’re not in the intervening time. The best way he’s playing is ideal on that side.’
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