Madueke’s ‘anger and conviction’ shows he’s more than a ‘finisher’

Noni Madueke may not have the role he wants at Arsenal but his winning goal against Nottingham Forest showed why he is one of Mikel Arteta's valued players. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Noni Madueke has scored two goals this season in all competitions for Arsenal. By Alex Howell Arsenal reporter Published 1 hour ago Noni Madueke may not have the starting role he wants at Arsenal but his winning goal against Nottingham Forest showed why he is one of Mikel Arteta's valued "finishers".

The England international scored a second-half winner to earn Arsenal a vital three points in their defence of the Premier League title. Madueke has started just one top-flight game this season, a 2-1 win over Leeds in the Gunners' last Premier League outing before they beat Oliver Glasner's side on Sunday. Arsenal 's summer was dominated by talk of their search for an elite forward, with the left wing one of the positions identified.

But after unsuccessful pursuits of world class players such as Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez, the only new addition in that position was Christos Tzolis, the winger brought in to replace the outgoing Leandro Trossard. Tzolis has started the season well and has been the first-choice winger for Arteta, meaning that Madueke and Eberechi Eze have had to be content with the majority of their minutes coming from the bench or in the Carabao Cup. Tzolis is now out with a hamstring injury picked up while playing for Greece, and that has presented a chance for Madueke to show Arteta why he should be considering the former Chelsea man as much more than a finisher – that's a term Arteta uses for his substitutes.

Madueke did well when starting against Leeds, praised by Arteta for being the best player at the club during the international break. The Arsenal boss said the winger "grabbed it (the start) with both hands". The England international also started on the right wing, his more natural position, against Lille in a Champions League win on Tuesday, assisting the opening goal.

Arsenal did not register a shot on target until Noni Madueke bagged their winner 10 minutes from full-time. Listen (3 mins) Save Share Madueke scores only goal as below-par Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest on social media Share Add on Google Noni Madueke scores the winner for Arsenal at the City Ground [AFP] By AFP Published On 18 Oct 2026 18 Oct 2026 Noni Madueke’s late goal sealed Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest as the champions survived a scrappy display to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta’s side were well below their best at the City Ground on Sunday and did not register a shot on target until Madueke bagged their winner 10 minutes from full-time. While the Gunners earned few style points in the East Midlands, they will not be overly concerned after moving to within three points of table-toppers City, who beat Ipswich 3-2 on Saturday.

After a shock 3-0 loss at Brighton on September 19, second-placed Arsenal have bounced back with three successive victories. They beat Leeds in the Premier League and Lille in the Champions League, before their hard-fought success by the banks of the River Trent.

The north Londoners have not been able to recapture the relentless consistency that took them to their first title in 22 years last season. But they retain the priceless ability to grind out wins and this was their sixth in seven league matches.

Arsenal head to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday before hosting Everton in the top flight next weekend. Third-from-bottom Forest have won just twice at home in their last 17 league games, while boss Oliver Glasner has managed only one victory in seven top-flight matches since taking charge in the close season.

Arsenal leave it late Bukayo Saka’s cross forced Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels to claw the ball from under his crossbar, but Arsenal struggled to establish any rhythm in a scrappy opening.

Against Forest on Sunday, Madueke was introduced at half time by Arteta and said he took the manager's instructions with him onto the pitch. "Hang in there, stick to the game plan, go out there and try to attack the opposition, be dangerous, be yourself and be good defensively as well," Madueke said.

He scored with a deflected shot in the 80th minute when he cut in on his weaker right foot. "I'd beaten him on the outside a couple of times so I thought I'll come inside and just let rip," Madueke said.

'He is a special character' It's fair to say that the Arsenal fans have not always taken to Madueke since his move from London rivals Chelsea. There was a 'No to Madueke' petition started when he joined the club and his performances have been criticised for being inconsistent.

But since his £48.5m arrival, Madueke has helped the club lift their first title in 22 years and played a big part as Arsenal reached the Champions League final. Madueke scored eight goals and provided four assists in 43 appearances in all competitions last season, but questions over his end product remain.

He is one of Arsenal 's most direct players and England manager Thomas Tuchel and his staff also rate the winger as one of the best players in one-versus-one situations. "Noni, look at me, a smile on my face because he is a special character," Arteta said when he was asked about Madueke's character.

"It's someone that's very much loved in and around the dressing room. The way he connects, talks with people.

He is just a special guy. "I think I saw an interview where they were asking a few of our players 'who would you call if you had a problem?' And some of them said Noni, which I was surprised.

"But I think it is a massive credit and describes the type of person he is." The 24-year-old has now put in three good performances in a row. "He is in a good moment," Arteta said.