Bukayo Saka backed the summer signing of Noni Madueke behind the scenes, despite adding competition to his position, whilst Madueke was keen for Eberechi Eze to join too.
Simon Collings reports for The Standard that Arsenal consulted Bukayo Saka before signing Noni Madueke this summer, trying to get a sense of the player’s personality away from the pitch.
Saka reportedly gave a glowing reference, despite the fact Madueke might end up competing with him for starts. The winger believed both the squad and his own game would improve by adding that competition.
As for Madueke himself, the winger joined Arsenal amid speculation that the Gunners could also make a move for Eberechi Eze.
Again, that could have been viewed negatively by the player, with some initial expectations that both Madueke and Eze might be competing for a spot on the left-wing. But the pair are friends, and Madueke reportedly messaged Eze to see if he’d be making the switch to Arsenal too.
In the end, Eze has ended up largely playing in midfield so far, whilst Madueke has primarily featured on the right-wing. With Martin Odegaard’s injury and Saka’s early setback, that’s where the pair have been most needed.
It’s a positive sign that the players were all so keen to link up, both in terms of the squad harmony behind the scenes, and because it suggests their priority is Arsenal winning things.
All of them will want to be playing matches, there’s little doubt about that. But it seems they all understand that healthy competition is better than guaranteed starts by virtue of being the only serious option available.