Paul Merson is “flabbergasted” by Arsenal’s £52m move for Noni Madueke and fears it could unsettle Bukayo Saka. The Gunners winger will now face intense pressure to prove his worth.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has delivered a scathing verdict on the Gunners’ £52 million signing of Noni Madueke, expressing disbelief at the decision and warning it could eventually impact Bukayo Saka’s long-term future at the club.
Writing in his Sky Sports column, Merson didn’t mince words as he tore into the transfer:
“I am flabbergasted by Arsenal signing Noni Madueke. I’m shocked. If Arsenal went and bought any player from Chelsea, he’d have been the last one I thought they’d sign… He’s not a prolific goalscorer, he’s inconsistent, and he doesn’t offer what Arsenal truly need right now.”
The former midfielder added that Chelsea must be delighted to have offloaded Madueke for such a fee, suggesting Arsenal significantly overpaid for a fringe player.
With Enzo Maresca revamping Chelsea’s attack—bringing in Liam Delap, Estevao, Jamie Gittens, and Joao Pedro—Madueke’s chances at Stamford Bridge were dwindling. The winger opted for a switch to north London in hopes of more regular involvement, but Merson doesn’t believe he’ll get it.
Madueke’s best role is off the right, cutting in—exactly where Bukayo Saka plays. And Saka isn’t coming out of that side. So £52m for a backup? It makes no sense.
Merson even compared the signing unfavourably to other options, stating:
If I had to take anyone from Chelsea, I’d have taken Jadon Sancho ahead of Madueke. At least you know what you’re getting.
Merson’s comments tap into a deeper concern: what does this mean for Saka long-term? While Arsenal fans may view Madueke as cover, the former England international warned that overcrowding in Saka’s position could have unintended consequences.
With reported interest from Real Madrid and other European heavyweights in recent years, Arsenal’s need to keep Saka happy and central to the project is paramount.
Despite the criticism, the move to Arsenal could represent a fresh start for Madueke. His time at Chelsea was riddled with injury setbacks and tactical mismatches, but under Mikel Arteta’s structured and demanding system, there’s optimism he could finally fulfil the potential that once made him a starlet at PSV.
With Arsenal fighting on four fronts next season—including the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups—rotation will be crucial. Madueke will be part of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia, featuring high-profile clashes against AC Milan, Newcastle, and a spicy North London derby with Spurs in Hong Kong.
Make no mistake, this is a high-stakes signing. Arsenal have spent big—and now it’s up to Madueke to silence the critics, prove Merson wrong, and earn his place in one of the most competitive attacking lineups in Europe.
