Martin Keown Urges New Role for Arsenal Star Noni Madueke After Club Brugge Victory

Noni Madueke Arsenal star shines with brace vs Club Brugge as Martin Keown suggests tactical shift to the left wing.

Arsenal bounced back in style on Wednesday night, defeating Club Brugge 3-0 in the Champions League. The emphatic victory not only preserved the Gunners’ perfect record in the competition—six wins from six—but also restored confidence after their recent 2-1 Premier League loss to Aston Villa.

Summer signing Noni Madueke stole the spotlight with a brace, including a spectacular long-range strike. His performance drew glowing praise from Arsenal legend Martin Keown, who described the opener as a “special, special goal.”

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Madueke’s first-half strike came after he picked up the ball inside Brugge’s half, shrugged off two defenders, and unleashed a thunderous left-footed shot that rattled in off the crossbar. It was only his second goal for Arsenal since joining from Chelsea in a £48.5 million summer deal.

Early in the second half, Madueke doubled the lead with a simple header from Martin Zubimendi’s cross. Gabriel Martinelli later added a third, curling a superb effort into the top corner to seal the win. Martinelli also became the first Arsenal player to score in five consecutive Champions League matches.

Arsenal’s Squad Depth on Display

Despite resting Bukayo Saka, Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession and created numerous chances. Goalkeeper David Raya produced key saves to secure the clean sheet, while new signings Viktor Gyokeres and Christian Norgaard impressed. Norgaard even filled in at center-back due to injuries to Gabriel and William Saliba, underlining Arsenal’s squad depth.

Commentating for TNT Sports, Keown praised Madueke’s opener, highlighting the power and execution. He suggested that Arteta might consider a tactical adjustment to accommodate both Saka and Madueke.

“I think if we do start looking at the best 11, does Madueke end up on the left, with Saka on the right? We’ve not really seen the two players available together this season,” Keown remarked.

Madueke Winning Over Doubters

Madueke’s arrival initially sparked skepticism among fans, with some questioning his style of play. However, performances like this are silencing critics. His pace, width, and direct goal threat could complement Saka perfectly, giving Arteta more attacking options as Arsenal chase silverware.

Arteta himself praised Madueke’s “unbelievable goal,” stressing the importance of individual brilliance in tight matches. With a crucial fixture against Inter Milan looming, where victory could secure top seeding in the knockout stages, Madueke’s role may become even more significant.

Arsenal’s dominant win over Club Brugge was more than just three points—it reignited belief and showcased the team’s depth. Madueke’s heroics not only secured victory but also sparked debate about his future position. If Keown’s suggestion is adopted, Arsenal could unlock even greater attacking potential with Saka and Noni Madueke operating together.

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