Atletico Madrid and Juventus Monitor Arsenal’s Noni Madueke

Noni Madueke’s reduced role at Arsenal has placed his future under growing scrutiny, with Atletico Madrid and Juventus tracking the England winger as he struggles for regular minutes under Mikel Arteta. The 24-year-old has featured only five times in all competitions this season, totalling 176 minutes, and his sole goal came in the Carabao Cup.

Limited opportunities after major Arsenal move

Madueke joined Arsenal from Chelsea for £48.5 million last summer, arriving with expectations that he would become a significant option in Arteta’s forward line. Instead, he has found starts difficult to secure during the opening part of the campaign.

• He has played 48 matches for Arsenal in all competitions since completing the move.
• His return for the club stands at nine goals and four assists.
• Madueke started 16 Premier League games last season.
• A knee problem kept him out for around two months during that campaign.
• Neither Madueke nor Viktor Gyokeres, both members of Arsenal’s title-winning squad, has started a league match this season.

The competition in Arsenal’s attacking unit has become sharper, with Arteta favouring alternative profiles in wide areas. Max Dowman’s development has further increased the pressure for places, while the club also recruited Greece international Christos Tzolis.

Tzolis has since suffered a hamstring injury while with his national team, and there is no confirmed timetable for his return.

Atletico and Juventus monitoring winger

Madueke’s lack of involvement has caught the attention of leading European clubs. Atletico Madrid and Juventus are both keeping watch on his situation, having long appreciated his ability to take on defenders and carry the ball directly in one-on-one situations.

Arsenal’s attacking group changed considerably over the summer, despite Madueke remaining at the club. Several experienced forwards departed:

• Leandro Trossard left for Besiktas.
• Gabriel Jesus completed a move to Barcelona.
• Gabriel Martinelli joined Al Hilal.

Those exits have reshaped Arteta’s options, but they have not yet led to a larger role for Madueke. With the January transfer window approaching, he could become another forward to leave the Emirates Stadium if his circumstances do not improve.

England place also at stake

The winger’s club minutes have also affected his standing with England. The national-team staff regard Madueke as one of their stronger dribblers and a valuable attacking option in isolated situations, qualities that helped him make five appearances during the summer World Cup.

Madueke made his senior England debut under Lee Carsley in late 2024 and played a notable part in the squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals. However, his absence from the latest England selection for the opening Nations League matches reflected concern over his lack of regular football at Arsenal.

For Madueke to remain firmly in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the next international cycle, he will need a consistent run of games at club level.