Arsenal
Arteta praises Madueke’s response to fan criticism and credits his courage
Arteta praises Madueke’s response to fan criticism, hailing his courage, quality and consistency…
Noni Madueke has emerged as one of Arsenal’s most eye-catching performers in the opening weeks of the 2025/26 season, and Mikel Arteta has highlighted how the winger handled vocal fan disapproval after his summer switch from Chelsea.
Madueke was a standout again in Saturday’s 3–0 win over Nottingham Forest. Arteta described the player’s attitude as a major factor in his fast adaptation to the club.
“A lot of courage, that’s how I’d describe him,” Arteta told the media of Madueke. “Obviously a lot of quality but a lot of courage.
“We were about to sign him and there was that reaction around him. I spoke to him and he was like, I’ll go for it, I can’t wait to put that shirt on and play for you guys.’
“I said, ‘wow, let’s bring him’. If I was convinced before, I’m more convinced now that he’s going to do it. He has such a power, such a capacity to repeat efforts because to be able to do that physically you have to have a different specimen, I think.
“He’s certainly that but he’s very skilful, very unpredictable. He’s so willing to learn and it brings joy. I look at him and he’s always smiling, he’s always trying things. He gets one wrong, he goes again and that’s what I love about the creative players because you need that to be successful.”
The shift in perception has been visible on broadcast coverage as well. One notable changer of heart was Martin Keown, who apologised to Madueke during TNT Sports’ coverage and queried the player about recent progress.
“Noni, have you taken your game to another level?” Keown asked. “Because you look more collective. I was worried about you when you came. Because I thought sometimes you can be a little bit selfish. But now, you seem to have got really good balance to your play. The decisions you’re making have been outstanding.
“I think it’s getting that balance. I think your decision-making has changed. Is that the manager? Is it the new club? What has happened?”
Madueke offered a modest response, reflecting on balance and self-belief.
“I feel it’s important to keep that self-belief that you can get the ball and do it yourself as well.
“As a winger, I feel like you need that. But of course, like you’re saying, I’m playing with such top players and it’s important for me to try and find them as much as I try and play my own type of game. It’s easy to play with these guys. I’m having a great time. Maybe I have taken a step in that direction.”
Arsenal
Martinelli backs Gyökeres to hit 30-40 goals with Ødegaard supplying the creativity
Martinelli says Gyökeres could score 30 or 40 goals as Ødegaard’s creativity creates clear openings
Gabriel Martinelli has publicly backed Viktor Gyökeres to reach the high double figures this season, suggesting the Swedish striker could finish with “30 or 40 goals a season.” Martinelli pointed to the influence of Martin Ødegaard as a decisive factor in that projection after Arsenal’s Champions League victory over Olympiacos.
The towering 27-year-old has proved a handful for central defenders even when not scoring, something that was underscored by his performance in Arsenal‘s 2–0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday. Gyökeres outmuscled both Olympiacos centre backs in the build-up to Martinelli’s opener, finishing the game with three shots, 0.47 expected goals and seven touches in the opposition penalty area.
Bukayo Saka was also on the scoresheet midweek but it was Ødegaard who was the standout performer, with Martinelli believing the Norwegian will boost Gyökeres’ goalscoring numbers in his debut term. The forward’s physical presence and movement were highlighted as complementary to Ødegaard’s ability to find team-mates in dangerous positions.
“We are really happy with [Gyökeres], we trust him, we know his qualities and he’s one of the top strikers in the world right now,” said Martinelli after the victory.
“We trust him and we are trying to give him the confidence to score and to do his best on the pitch to help us. It’s really good to play with Martin there because he’s always trying to find you, when we make the movement.
“And for Viktor as well, his qualities as well, as he likes to go in behind and attack the opposition’s box. I think him playing with Martin as well is going to be good for him. We are going to try to give him the ball as much as possible to make him score, I don’t know, 30 or 40 goals a season.”
Martinelli’s assessment rests on Gyökeres converting chances that are created by Ødegaard and others, and on the striker maintaining the form shown against Olympiacos.
Arsenal
Arteta confident Gabriel will recover after precautionary withdrawal vs Olympiacos
Arteta: Gabriel expected to recover after being withdrawn vs Olympiacos; West Ham fitness watch plan
Mikel Arteta sought to calm concern over Gabriel Magalhães after the centre back was withdrawn during Arsenal’s victory over Olympiacos. The manager described the substitution as a precaution and indicated the issue is not expected to be serious.
“I think he’s going to be OK,” Arteta explained.
Arteta said the problem stemmed from a first-half challenge. “I think it was a kick, in the first half, and it was a bit uncomfortable. He could carry on but we decided not to take any risks because he’s played a lot of games. He’s coming back from a long-term injury and we need to look after him.” Those comments underline a cautious approach given Gabriel’s recent long-term layoff and his heavy workload since returning.
Despite the reassurance, Arsenal face a short wait to confirm whether Gabriel will be available for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with West Ham United. The Brazilian has played every minute of league action so far this season, following a hamstring injury that ended his 2024–25 campaign in April, so any enforced absence would halt that run.
Arsenal’s defensive options provide cover. Cristhian Mosquera replaced Gabriel alongside William Saliba when the change was made, and Riccardo Calafiori can also operate centrally despite being used primarily on the left in England. Piero Hincapié remains out with a groin issue; while his setback is not expected to be lengthy, the Ecuador international will not be fit for Saturday’s game.
Arteta’s handling of Gabriel’s withdrawal reflects a priority on long-term fitness over short-term gain. With rotation and alternatives available, Arsenal will monitor the centre back closely ahead of their domestic fixture, balancing the desire to maintain an unbeaten run of appearances for Gabriel against the need to manage his recovery following a significant prior injury.
Arsenal
Webb: VAR Was Right to Overturn Arsenal’s Penalty Appeal
Webb rejects Arteta’s call after VAR showed Pope brushed the ball, explaining why no foul was given.
Howard Webb has publicly disagreed with Mikel Arteta’s criticism of a non-penalty decision after Arsenal’s late 2–1 victory over Newcastle United. The incident occurred when Gyökeres rounded Newcastle United’s goalkeeper Nick Pope midway through the first half. Arsenal argued for a penalty after contact was made, but Webb says the VAR intervention showed the full sequence.
“There was an important part around this in that the referee didn’t recognise that touch by Pope in real time,” Webb explained on Match Officials Mic’d Up .
Webb outlined the process that led the VAR to recommend a review and why the referee then went to the pitchside monitor.
“Hence the reason that when the VAR saw it, he deemed it to be a clear and obvious error because that touch by Pope hadn’t been seen, and therefore the referee could go to the screen to look at that really important aspect and make a judgement for himself, and the judgement was: I’ve seen the touch, therefore it’s not a foul, and I’m going to start with the drop ball.”
Supporters of Arsenal pointed to the sending off of Robert Sánchez for Chelsea against Manchester United earlier this season, where Sánchez also made contact with the ball before connecting with a forward, Bryan Mbeumo. Webb rejected the comparison and described key differences between the two incidents.
“Pope then plants his foot on the ground. He doesn’t drive it forward into Gyökeres,” Webb said. “There’s a gap, clearly a gap, between the two players after Pope has played the ball, and then the two players come together quite normally. The action by Pope is normal. It’s not reckless. It’s just a kick out towards the ball. The ball deviates.
“No contact on the player until the ball has been played away, and then the contact happens fairly normally. So, not a foul, and therefore a good use of the VAR to intervene to show the referee what really happened.”
Webb’s explanation concentrates on the sequence of touch, the referee’s initial lack of sight, and how VAR restored the correct on-field decision.
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Martinelli backs Gyökeres to hit 30-40 goals with Ødegaard supplying the creativity
