Noni Madueke tipped for Arsenal left wing as key Gabriel Martinelli difference revealed

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Evening Standard

·18 juillet 2025

Noni Madueke tipped for Arsenal left wing as key Gabriel Martinelli difference revealed

After swapping Chelsea for Arsenal in £52m deal, coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst explains why ‘dynamite’ Madueke will rise to the challenge

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After completing his £52million move to Arsenal, the pressure is on Noni Madueke to succeed.

When news of the Gunners’ interest first broke, it sparked a fierce backlash from some fans online that included the hashtag ‘#NoToMadueke’ and even a petition against the deal.

But those who know Madueke best are confident that he will thrive in north London. Chief among them is Saul Isaksson-Hurst, who has worked as Madueke’s individual coach for the past four years.

What began as a few pre-season sessions has since evolved into a close partnership. Throughout the season, Isaksson-Hurst sends Madueke video clips from his matches, which the pair analyse together to identify areas for improvement.

“He backs himself. Not in an arrogant way, but he has a lot of self-belief,” Isaksson-Hurst tells Standard Sport.

Hard yards: Noni Madueke puts in extra sessions with Saul Isaksson-Hurst

Saul Isakkson-Hurst

“He knows his ability and he wants to show that to people. I think he will take it as a challenge [moving to Arsenal].

“I don’t think he is scared of that challenge and being under that price tag. It didn’t affect him when he came from PSV [Eindhoven]. He will rise to that challenge.”

Isaksson-Hurst has been working as an individual coach for the past 20 years. Prior to that, he spent a decade working in the academies of Chelsea and Tottenham as a skills specialist.

His current clients include Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Aston Villa’s Samuel Iling-Junior, as well as Brentford wing-back Rico Henry. Isaksson-Hurst has also consulted with clubs on their individual programmes - including Arsenal.

“I have never met a more hard-working player than Noni”

Saul Isakkson-Hurst

His work with Madueke began in pre-season ahead of the 2021–22 campaign, while the winger was still at PSV.

After Madueke scored twice against Ajax to help PSV lift the Johan Cruyff Shield, it was agreed the partnership would continue on a full-time basis.

“I have never met a more hard-working player than Noni,” says Isaksson-Hurst. “Lots of people have said other things, but he is so driven.

“We often go away for four, five days for intense training camps and I almost have to force him to have a day off because he just wants to train. He wants to be one of the best players in world football.”

When Madueke was at PSV, much of his work with Isaksson-Hurst was done remotely. But after he moved to Chelsea, it has become more in person.

Isaksson-Hurst attends matches where possible, or analyses footage via Wyscout and feeds it back through video calls or face-to-face meetings.

“It’s about consistency,” says Isaksson-Hurst. “You have got to dominate, you have got to make that place in the starting XI your own.

“It’s about stats, goals and assists, that’s how every player is judged. I am confident he can do it.”

No days off: Madueke will train through his summer holiday to ensure he hits the ground running when he arrives at pre-season training

Saul Isaksson-Hurst

Madueke is due a break now before linking up with Arsenal as he played with Chelsea at the Club World Cup this summer.

Part of that time will be spent with Isaksson-Hurst and each session is tailored to what the pair think needs improving.

A major focus last season was on enhancing Madueke’s ability to beat defenders on both sides - a quality Arsenal’s recruitment team noticed - and not just cutting in on to his stronger left foot.

It is work that could prove valuable at Arsenal, with Isaksson-Hurst and Arsenal expecting Madueke to play on both flanks.

“He can play either side,” says Isaksson-Hurst. “He is left-footed and he doesn’t have to be an inverted winger. He can do a job there on the left and be successful, I am really confident about that.

“He is going to get a lot of the ball, he is going to get the chance to break lines. Whether he has got space beyond the defender, or there is not space, he is good in either situation.

“I think he has all the tools. For me, looking at how it is developing, having [Bukayo] Saka on one wing and him on the other, that could be England’s two wide players for the next few years.”

The competition will be fierce for Madueke at Arsenal. Saka has nailed down the right wing position, and on the left, he will have to dislodge Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Rivals: With Bukayo Saka a certain starter, Madueke will compete with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

But, Isaksson-Hurst is confident Madueke has the ability to make an impact.

“Noni can definitely offer something different to Trossard and Martinelli,” says Isaksson-Hurst. “He is also still a young player, he is still developing. He has still got so much to go.

“He has the ability to dominate one-v-one and even one-v-two situations. He can break those lines and that’s really unique. A successful one-v-one beats any team tactic.

“That’s maybe the difference I see with him and Martinelli. Martinelli can carry the ball, but for me he is a bit more of a transition player.

“Noni can do that, but he can also break through when teams are defending deep. His ball control is top level. He is explosive, he is dynamite.”