DEAL COMPLETED: Arsenal announce the signing of £80m winger as potential replacement for Gabriel Martinelli – Congratulations Arsenal fans
DEAL COMPLETED: Arsenal announce the signing of £80m winger as potential replacement for Gabriel Martinelli – Congratulations Arsenal fans
Arsenal have signed a ‘mentality monster’ from Chelsea this summer, according to development coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst.
The Gunners have had a productive transfer window with six new acquisitions.
Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres have been signed to bolster the attack, and Isaksson-Hurst believes the former could become an important player at the north London club.
Isaksson-Hurst, who is the personal development coach of Madueke, said that the Englishman is a ‘mentality monster’, who is so hungry for success and challenges ahead.
He added that his work rate is among the best in the world, and Arsenal fans won’t be disappointed.
He told Hayters TV: “I call him a mentality monster. He’s so hungry for success and so hungry for the challenge.
“He backs himself. He’s got no reservations about going into that top team and making an impact. In the modern game you’ve got to have a stiff chin.
“A couple of people have asked me what his work rate is like. I’ve never come across anyone who works harder than this young man.
“I’m talking about having worked at some of the best academies in world football. No one’s going to outwork this guy. I know Arsenal fans won’t be disappointed.”
Isaksson-Hurst, who has worked at Arsenal and Chelsea in the past, added that the Gunners have signed Madueke due to his ball-carrying skills and ability to beat defenders.
He added: “The reason Arsenal have signed him is because he’s so good with his ball-carrying, 1v1’s, and being able to beat players. He’s a really exciting player who keeps on getting better.”
He has backed Madueke to be a starter on the left wing and believes he can be an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. He further said: “For me, he’s a starter.
“Martinelli and Trossard are good players with some different assets. Martinelli is a good transition player, really good on the break. Maybe not so good when teams are in a low-block in terms of beating those players and tight defences.
“And Trossard is good at 1v1’s but can’t run beyond. Noni actually gives you both of those assets. He’s so good at ball-carrying and he can move at speed with the ball on the counter. I’d be surprised if he’s not starting on the left there and then maybe rotate with Saka on the right sometimes.”
Madueke had a decent 2024/25 campaign with Chelsea, with 16 goal contributions in all competitions. He primarily played from the right wing for the Blues, but made a handful of appearances from the left flank during the final phase of the season.
The 23-year-old did not make a direct goal contribution from the role for the Blues, but he was impressive in the same position on England duty. Madueke bagged an assist for Harry Kane in the 1-0 World Cup qualifier win over Andorra.
Arsenal have not spent £48.5 million on a wide player just to keep him as a deputy to Bukayo Saka on the right wing next season. We should see Madueke starting plenty of games from the opposite wing ahead of Martinelli and Trossard.
