Arsenal of England’s Nigerian-born winger, Noni Madueke is in the news for all the good reasons at the ongoing FIFA World Cup and looks set to start a second straight match for The Three Lions at the biggest Mundial ever in history.
Sports247 reports that, just as the competition being hosted by three countries for the first time ever is unfolding in dramatic style, Madueke’s story has also chipped out from ugly to glorious and outcast to hero in less than a year.
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His arrival at Emirates Stadium was met with a whiplash from Arsenal fans, who did not fancy the idea of their club often buying players from their fellow-London-based rivals, Chelsea, especially when such arrivals appeared to be spent already.
Dramatically, Madueke braved all odds, kept his cool, maintained his focus and ended up among The Gunners’ heroic English Premier League winners after 22 years of trying, and his personal form during the season earned him England’s call.
Madueke won the penalty for England’s opening goal in their 4-2 victory against Croatia and ended the game with a 94 per cent pass accuracy, five touches in the opposition box, two key passes and one chance created.
A report by UK’s Sun Sports recounts, “Less than a year ago Noni Madueke was facing a petition from Arsenal fans to stop the club signing him from Chelsea. Now he looks set to make his second consecutive start for England at the World Cup.
“After helping Arsenal end a 22-year wait for the Premier League, not even the most optimistic of fans would have foreseen that dramatic U-turn in Madueke’s season, following a string of failed transfers from Stamford Bridge.
“In July of last year, a petition titled #NOTOMADUEKE gained thousands of signatures as Arsenal fans tried to block their club from splashing £52m on the winger, but Mikel Arteta brought him to the Emirates in spite of the backlash.
“The 24-year-old made 43 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight times and registering four assists – a season that won over the Arsenal supporters. His role became even more important when Bukayo Saka battled an Achilles injury.
“Now, as World Cup glory awaits, Madueke must fill that gap for England in Saka’s absence again. Madueke was the starting right winger during England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia and he will likely reprise that role against Ghana on Tuesday.”
