Rival Reminds Arsenal They’ve Now Got Another Player Who’s Every Bit as Good as Saka

For a while now, Arsenal’s deadliest winger has undoubtedly been Bukayo Saka.

Saka’s ability to glide past defenders, carve out chances for himself and tee up teammates has become a hallmark of Mikel Arteta’s attacking blueprint.

With Saka on the right wing, Arsenal’s attack has looked decent. Still, they could have been downright dangerous had Arteta possessed another winger capable of mirroring that threat from the left, or stepping in when Saka is unavailable.

Enter summer 2025

Arsenal splashed £52 million to bring in Noni Madueke.

The Englishman’s versatility and technical flair, coupled with the narrative that he could replicate Saka’s impact as a backup or left-sided threat, formed the backbone of his transfer argument.

With Madueke in the squad, the idea was simple: no panic if Saka is sidelined. Madueke could offer the same menace either as cover or from the opposite wing.

Three games into the season, Madueke has not yet delivered a headline-grabbing performance. He has been solid, but not spectacular.

And while Gooners remain split on him, Newcastle’s Dan Burn has reminded everyone why Madueke should not be underestimated. He is a unique talent.

Asked to name the most deceptive player in the current England squad, Burn did not hesitate.

“I’ll go Noni, because I feel like Noni can go either way when he’s got the ball,” Burn said on Tiktok.

“Sometimes it’s a bit like Bukayo [Saka], where you want to send them onto their weaker foot, but you’re not really sure! Yeah, I’ll go, Noni.”