The debate over Arsenal’s right wing has heated up in recent weeks, with Noni Madueke’s rapid rise putting pressure on manager Mikel Arteta to consider new tactical options. With Bukayo Saka sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Madueke has seized his chance to impress—both for club and country—leaving fans and pundits wondering what the future holds for Arsenal’s attacking flanks.
Madueke, who joined Arsenal from Chelsea in July 2025 for a hefty £52 million, was initially seen as a high-priced backup for Saka. But after a string of eye-catching performances, particularly in England’s recent World Cup qualifiers, the 23-year-old is making a compelling case for a permanent spot in the starting eleven. The question now is whether Saka, when fit, should return to his familiar right wing, or if Arteta should accommodate Madueke’s form by shifting Saka to the left.
The conversation gained steam after England’s back-to-back qualifiers this September, where Madueke started on the right wing under national team boss Thomas Tuchel. In the first match at Villa Park, Madueke forced an own goal from Andorra’s Christian García González, setting the tone for England’s dominant display. A few days later, he found the net himself at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade, helping England cruise to a 5-0 victory over Serbia. Tuchel was effusive in his praise, noting, "He has the speed and he has the ability to win one-vs-one duels. I’m very happy that he scored today and was involved in goals because this is something he needs to add to his game: efficiency, being involved in goals with assists and finishes and goals."
Tuchel didn’t stop there. He highlighted Madueke’s hunger, directness, and most importantly, his work-rate. "The reaction after ball losses, the work that he put in to help Reece [James] because we played a back four against a back five, so to help against the wing-backs and to push forward and do pressing. The work-rate is what I like the most in his performance today and, yeah, from there he’s fast, he’s direct, he likes to dribble. That’s what we want from him," Tuchel said after the Serbia game.
With such glowing reviews, it’s no wonder that pundits are questioning whether Saka should simply slot back into his old position when he’s healthy. Gary Neville, speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, floated the idea of moving Saka to the left wing to keep Madueke on the right. "He’s obviously a lot better on the right and that was clear when Saka went off the other week. Could Saka play on the left? Martinelli’s struggling a little bit on that left-hand side, could Saka go back on the left and leave Madueke where he is? You can see quite clearly Madueke looks a hell of a player on that right-hand side. (Against Serbia) some of his runs were really top level. I was looking at it as a full-back and thinking, 'Oh, I didn’t know he had that, I didn’t know he had that.' He’s the young kid. Saka’s the experienced one and the best player, let’s be clear. Does the best player swap with him and do half an hour on the left and switch over a bit?" Neville mused.
But not everyone is convinced that tinkering with Saka’s position is the right move. Arsenal legend Ian Wright was quick to dismiss the suggestion, saying, "Don’t ask me about Saka playing on the left, I’m not even commenting on that. With everything that Saka has done up to this point on the right, you’d move Saka on the left and move Madueke on the right?" Wright’s stance is clear—Saka’s contributions on the right have been too significant to warrant a positional switch, even in light of Madueke’s recent form.
The debate is further complicated by Gabriel Martinelli’s recent struggles on the left for Arsenal. Neville pointed out that Martinelli hasn’t quite found his rhythm this season, opening the door for Arteta to experiment with his wide options. With Leandro Trossard and Eberechi Eze also in the mix, the competition for places is fiercer than ever.
Madueke’s journey to this point hasn’t been straightforward. After a mixed spell at Chelsea, where he showed flashes of potential but struggled for consistency, his move to Arsenal was met with skepticism by some fans and pundits. Neville admitted as much, saying, "I’ll be honest with you, when Arsenal signed him, I’d seen him play quite a lot at Chelsea. I thought, 'I can see why Chelsea sort of let him go.' I tell you, what a different player at Arsenal and in the England games in the last few weeks." The transformation has been remarkable, with Madueke displaying not just technical skill but also the hunger and discipline required at the top level.
Arteta now faces a genuine selection headache. Saka, the Hale End academy graduate, has been Arsenal’s standout player on the right for several seasons, earning plaudits for his creativity, work ethic, and knack for delivering in big moments. Yet Madueke’s emergence offers a new dimension—his direct running, dribbling ability, and growing confidence in front of goal have added a spark to Arsenal’s attack that’s hard to ignore.
Meanwhile, the broader football landscape is buzzing with anticipation for the 2025/26 Premier League season. Sky Sports has announced it will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League games this campaign, an increase of up to 100 matches from previous years. With so many fixtures on offer, fans will have ample opportunity to watch Arsenal’s evolving lineup in action, scrutinizing every decision Arteta makes regarding his wide men.
As Saka continues his recovery from a hamstring injury—a setback that echoes fitness concerns from last season—the pressure mounts on Madueke to maintain his high standards. Should he continue to perform at this level, Arteta may be forced to make a bold call: stick with the tried-and-true formula, or embrace the momentum of a player in form. One thing is certain—the competition for Arsenal’s flanks has never been more intense, and every match, every run, every goal will be under the microscope as the Gunners chase glory both domestically and in Europe.
For now, the question of who should start on the right wing remains open. Saka’s track record is undeniable, but Madueke’s recent exploits have made him impossible to overlook. With Martinelli searching for form and other contenders waiting in the wings, Arteta’s next move could define Arsenal’s season. The excitement is palpable, and with the Premier League’s expanded coverage, fans won’t miss a second of this unfolding drama.
As the new season kicks off and Saka edges closer to a return, all eyes will be on Arteta’s team sheets. Will he stick with the established star, or ride the wave of Madueke’s resurgence? Arsenal supporters—and the wider football world—will be watching closely, eager to see how this high-stakes selection battle plays out on the pitch.
