Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 12 March 2026 18:30, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Noni Madueke’s impact off the bench for Arsenal in their draw at Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday was transformative.

The Gunners scored a late penalty to level the scores, meaning just a win at the Emirates Stadium next week will see them through to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Robert Andrich opened the scoring for the home side just after half-time, when he found space at the back post and headed past David Raya.

Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to respond to the goal but received a gift when Malik Tillman took down Madueke in the penalty box, allowing Kai Havertz to score from the spot.

Arsenal’s performance has faced heavy criticism, but Arteta will be grateful to have walked away with the scores still level at half-time in the tie.

Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka can start together

Saka has not been in bad form recently, but Wednesday’s display was perhaps among the very worst of his Arsenal career.

Nothing seemed to come off for the 24-year-old, who constantly had shots blocked, misplaced passes, and was dispossessed by the defenders in front of him.

The Gunners attempted to keep feeding the ball to the man they often look to for a moment of genius, but Arteta was ultimately forced to draw a line in the 60th minute.

Madueke came on and made a difference immediately. The winger ran at his man relentlessly, putting balls into the box and winning set-pieces.

In just 30 minutes, the 24-year-old completed more passes than Saka, completed as many successful dribbles, more accurate crosses, and won more ground duels.

He would get his reward for his hard work when he used his pace to burst through the middle of two Leverkusen defenders before he was clipped and brought down.

Madueke has often impressed this season, and perhaps it is time for Arteta to look to incorporate him into the team, even when Saka is playing well.

Ex-Everton chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider this week that Arsenal are keen on Anthony Gordon, providing an indicator of where the issues may lie.

Mikel Arteta must address the left-hand side

Arsenal’s issues on the left-hand side had been discussed in the transfer window, but concerns were quickly quelled by the form of Leandro Trossard.

In the second half of the season, however, the Belgian’s good form has dried up completely, and Gabriel Martinelli has not provided a strong alternative.

Yet Arteta persistently rotates between them, despite other options being present. Eberechi Eze played on the left at the start of the season, and so did Madueke.

Even Saka has played on the left in previous years, and is easily both-footed enough to thrive in the position.

With Eze and Madueke among the best-performing Arsenal attackers of late, and Saka, too good to leave out, it is time for Arteta to get creative and change things up