Madueke embraces Saka rivalry ahead of Arsenal's Champions League final against PSG

Noni Madueke has described his competition with Bukayo Saka as a battle on “all fronts” — at club and international level — but insists the pair are pulling in the same direction ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League final against PSG on Saturday.

Madueke’s season has been shaped largely by Saka’s availability. The two have occasionally played together, with Madueke shifted to the left or Saka trialled through the centre, but more often than not it has been one or the other. Madueke averages 53 minutes per appearance, a figure that reflects his understudy status rather than any lack of quality.

“It’s been different for sure,” Madueke said. “But B is a top player. We kind of fight on all fronts — same for England, same for Arsenal. But it’s been good. We know that we’re pulling in the same direction.”

The dynamic is expected to carry into the summer, with Saka widely anticipated to be Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice right winger at the World Cup. That is despite Madueke’s standout performance in England’s 5-0 win over Serbia in September, arguably the national team’s best result under Tuchel.

For both Arteta and Tuchel, Madueke offers a distinct profile — fast, direct, and willing to drive repeatedly towards the byline. Madueke himself acknowledges the complementary nature of the pairing. “It’s amazing to have two high-level players, but completely different,” he said. “There’s definitely parts of his game I try and implement into mine, he probably says the same. We’re so close off the pitch.”

Modern football’s structure — heavy pressing, five substitutions, and extended stoppage time — has increasingly divided matches into two phases: a tactical, controlled opening hour and a more open final half-hour when substitutes can exploit tired legs. It is precisely the kind of environment in which Madueke tends to thrive, and if Arsenal need a goal in the closing stages against PSG, Arteta is likely to turn to him.

Madueke appears settled in the arrangement for the long term. “I know I want to be here, I know he wants to be here, so it looks like that’s going to be our gig for the foreseeable,” he said.

Off the pitch, Madueke was a central figure in Arsenal’s Premier League title celebrations last week, reportedly serving as MC and performing throughout the night at the players’ party in Mayfair.