Noni Madueke will be keen to have a say for Arsenal tonight in their Champions League quarter-final clash against Sporting CP
Noni Madueke has claimed Mikel Arteta’s “aura” is inspiring Arsenal – despite their recent rut.
The Gunners are now two matches without a win after losing both the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City and their FA Cup quarter-final at the hands of Southampton.
Nonetheless, Madueke thinks Arsenal have the perfect manager to help them navigate the storm.
He told Amazon Prime ahead of tonight’s quarter-final tie against Sporting: “If you think of the aura that he has, it definitely rubs off on the rest of the team.
“Somebody that’s so focused, so driven and so prepared and that rubs off on the collective.
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“You can tell he’s a manager that wants to improve you as a player. I feel like he’s helped me in certain aspects in terms of being a bit more structured in my play but has also let me be me.”
When asked if there’s still confidence Arsenal can deliver silverware this season, Madueke replied: “There’s 100 per cent belief that we can go all the way in every competition that we play in. I like us against anyone.”
The former Chelsea winger has been nursing wrist and knee issues of late. He picked up the wrist problem during an accidental collision in training and then tweaked his knee following a heavy clash for England in their friendly against Uruguay.
Madueke was then forced to withdraw from the squad alongside Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice and he later left Wembley with his knee in a brace.
But he was able to feature for Arsenal on Saturday at St Mary’s when they crashed out of the FA Cup. Saka is still yet to return and that means Madueke could be in line to start tonight for the Gunners in place of his fellow England international.
When quizzed on the fitness of Saka and Jurrien Timber, Arteta said ahead of his side’s latest European fixture: “No [they are not available], they’re having trouble, they’re not ready yet.
“Let’s see, hopefully they’re going to be ready for the weekend, if everything goes well, and that’s a massive boost because in recent days we’ve lost so many important players and that’s something that we need to change immediately.”
There is still no timeframe on Saka’s return while midfielder Rice has travelled with the Arsenal squad to Portugal in what could be his first appearance for club or country since the Carabao Cup final over two weeks ago.
