When Bukayo Saka limped off last weekend and Martin Odegaard’s knock was confirmed shortly after, Arsenal fans felt that all-too-familiar sinking feeling.
In recent seasons, injuries to players of their stature would have left Mikel Arteta short of options, his team lacking the spark and creativity to push through difficult runs. But this time feels different. Arsenal, for once, are built for this.
Noni Madueke Ready to Step Up
Bukayo Saka has been Arsenal’s heartbeat on the right flank for years now, and his absence has traditionally felt irreplaceable. This summer’s bold decision to bring in Noni Madueke looks smart in hindsight.
The former Chelsea winger offers the same directness, flair, and ability to take on defenders that Saka provides, while adding a fresh layer of unpredictability. For a club that has leaned heavily on one man in that position, having Madueke available feels less like a risk and more like a well-planned insurance policy.
Eze and Nwaneri to Cover for Odegaard
In Martin Odegaard’s absence, creativity in midfield becomes the real question. This is where Eberechi Eze comes in. Signed from Crystal Palace, Eze’s versatility makes him one of the most important pieces of Arsenal’s summer.
Not only can he control tempo, but he can also drift wide, break lines with a dribble, or thread the decisive pass. Behind him, young Ethan Nwaneri adds a youthful spark that Arteta has shown no hesitation to trust. Between the pair, Arsenal have options, and crucially, they have ideas.
A New Arsenal in Big Games
Facing Liverpool and Nottingham Forest without Saka and Odegaard would have been a nightmare just a couple of years ago. Back then, Arsenal’s over-reliance on their leading duo often led to flat performances whenever either was absent. Now, the squad does not just have replacements; it has competition. Madueke’s energy and Eze’s creativity mean Arsenal can approach these games with confidence, not caution.
How Madueke and Eze Fit into Arteta’s System
What makes these signings more valuable than just cover options is how naturally they can slide into Mikel Arteta’s tactical framework. Arsenal’s system thrives on fluidity, pressing, and intelligent use of space, and both Madueke and Eze tick those boxes in very different but equally effective ways.
On the right wing, Noni Madueke offers more of a direct, dribble-heavy style compared to Saka. While Saka often combines with Odegaard to patiently unlock defenses, Madueke prefers to be more vertical, driving at full-backs with raw pace.
This changes Arsenal’s attacking rhythm slightly, turning some of their methodical probes into sudden bursts of chaos. Against teams like Liverpool, who push their full-backs high, Madueke’s ability to exploit that space could actually be a tactical advantage.
Eberechi Eze, meanwhile, fits into the playmaking role but with a wider palette of movements compared to Odegaard. While the Norwegian typically controls the game centrally, dictating tempo and switching play, Eze is more of a roaming creator. He can drop deep to collect and carry, drift out left to combine with Gabriel Martinelli, or push closer to the striker to break defensive lines.
That unpredictability adds another layer to Arsenal’s attack and could force opponents to rethink how they set up against Arteta’s side. Even more interesting, Eze’s versatility gives Arsenal tactical flexibility mid-game.
He can play as a traditional No. 10 if Arteta sticks with his trusted 4-3-3, or slot into a 4-2-3-1 as the central playmaker, giving Arsenal extra bodies in the final third. With young Ethan Nwaneri capable of offering similar movement and energy in shorter bursts, the Gunners suddenly have options not just to cope, but to surprise opponents.
Why This Arsenal Won’t Crack Under Pressure
One of the trademarks of Premier League challengers is depth. Arsenal, until recently, lacked exactly that. Too often, one injury derailed the rhythm of an entire side. This summer, however, transfer business has been as focused as it has ever been under Mikel Arteta. Instead of bulk signings, Arsenal went for the right players, the ones who bring instant cover while also maintaining the team’s overall quality.
The additions of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze may not make flashy headlines like blockbuster signings elsewhere, but they are exactly what Arsenal needed. Madueke ensures that Arsenal do not lose balance when Saka is missing, while Eze gives Arteta the flexibility to switch systems and maintain creativity without relying solely on Odegaard. Add to that the growing influence of academy talents like Nwaneri, and this squad no longer feels paper-thin.
The difference is not just in personnel, but in mentality. Arteta has built a squad that can trust the next man up, whether it is for a Champions League night away from home or a league showdown against title rivals. The pressure on Saka and Odegaard to drag Arsenal forward in every match has eased.
Instead, Arsenal now boast a collective that can share the workload, and that is exactly what defines successful, trophy-winning sides.
With depth across positions, Arsenal now look less like a team of star players holding everything together and more like a seasoned unit capable of weathering storms. Injuries to Saka and Odegaard would have once signaled crisis. Today, they offer an opportunity, a chance to showcase just how strong, dependable, and well-prepared this Arsenal squad has become.
If Arsenal are serious about competing across all competitions this season, it will be because of decisions like these in the transfer market, which have turned short-term worries into long-term confidence.
