Noni Madueke (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Arsenal Urged To Seal Left-Wing Transfer After United Struggles

Originally posted on Just Arsenal | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 6:00 AM ET

Matchday one of the 2025/26 Premier League season came and went, with Arsenal grinding out a necessary 1–0 win over Manchester United.

Much has already been said, some good and some bad, about Arsenal’s showing at the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday.

What Arsenal need

Mikel Arteta has now been told there is no way around it, he must secu re that left-wing signing before the transfer window slams shut.

On Monday, The Times analysed where Premier League teams currently stand and what they require to mount a successful campaign.

For Arsenal, Paul Hirst noted: “They need a left winger who is good in tight spaces and can provide service to Viktor Gyokeres. Clearing the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Jakub Kiwior, and * Takehiro Tomiyasu will help to finance that move for a winger”.

* Arsenal parted ways with Tomiyasu in early July

Left-wing struggles against United

Gabriel Martinelli failed to impress against United. He drifted through the match largely ineffective, reinf orcing the belief that Arsenal’s left wing needs urgent reinforcement.

Although he tracked back well defensively, he failed to influence the game in the final third. His lack of attacking contribution continued to unbalance Arsenal’s forward play and contributed to Viktor Gyokeres receiving little service.

Arteta introduced Noni Madueke in Martinelli’s place to shake things up, but he too struggled. Madueke fared worse, failing to impact play completely, which left fans frustrated.

Most Gooners voiced their disappointment with the duo’s performance and would not mind seeing Arteta hand Leandro Trossard a start on the left against Leeds.

As Arteta and his technical bench deliberate over the left-wing conundrum, one option remains clear, go ahead and make that signing.

A left-wing swoop stood out as Arsenal’s top transfer priority this summer, with the Rodrygo links sending ripples towards the end of last season. That move failed to materialise, and interest in wingers cooled, but Paul Hirst insists Arsenal must reignite their pursuit and lays out how to do so.

Whether the Gunners heed his advice remains to be seen.

Let us know what you think in the comments.

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This article first appeared on Just Arsenal and was syndicated with permission.

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