Noni Madueke has revealed the ‘hardest opponent’ he has faced during his profession to this point at Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea.
Madueke made near 100 appearances for Chelsea after being signed from PSV in 2023, helping the Blues qualify for the Champions League and win the Conference League last season.
Arsenal agreed to pay London rivals Chelsea over £50m for the England international last summer, with a big section of fans sceptical concerning the value of such a deal.
Madueke has not been a guaranteed starter under Mikel Arteta but has still played an element in Arsenal difficult for the Premier League title and reaching the ultimate of the Champions League.
The 24-year-old has come up against a few of the most effective players in Europe but views Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk as his ‘hardest opponent’ up to now.
‘I might probably say Virgil van Dijk,’ Madueke told Sky Sports. ‘He’s just so big and fast so it’s difficult to get in behind him. I might probably say him, obviously.
‘Playing against players like that is sweet competition, you wish to test yourself against the most effective, that’s the mindset you must have going into the sport.
‘It’s football at the very best level so it’s definitely fun to check yourself against those style of players.’
Discussing his move from Chelsea to Arsenal, Madueke added: ‘I just believed Arsenal were going to win trophies so that’s why I moved.
‘The England boys helped me lots, I used to be already near them so it was great. The entire club helped me though, everyone in and across the club was helpful.
‘It’s filled with good people and folks who wish to work hard and achieve something. It was easy in that sense.’
Madueke’s Arsenal teammate Declan Rice is one in every of the frontunners to win the PFA Premier League Player of the Yr award after a superb season in north London.
Asked whether he believes Rice deserves the award, Madueke said: ‘Yeah, definitely. I hope he wins it.
‘Have a look at how consistent he’s been this season. Those style of trophies depend upon team success in addition to individual performances but when we win I’m sure he has an actual likelihood.
‘I’ve known him for a couple of years now and he’s a top, top person and a top player, he’s got an incredible vibe about him off the pitch and on the pitch he’s obviously a top player and a pacesetter.’
Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid last day trip to succeed in their first Champions League final in 20 years.
Arteta’s side return to motion on Sunday with one other crucial Premier League fixture against relegation-battlers and London rivals West Ham.
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