Parlour accuses Madueke of 'not doing his job' despite Arsenal's comeback win over Leeds

Ray Parlour has criticised Arsenal winger Noni Madueke for his defensive work in the Gunners’ comeback Premier League win over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, arguing the 24-year-old failed to do his defensive duties before the visitors’ opening goal.

James Justin gave Leeds the lead, a goal Parlour attributed in part to Madueke’s failure to track the full-back’s run. Goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes then turned the game around to give Arsenal a 2-1 victory and end a run of poor form.

“Madueke has got to do better there,” Parlour told Premier League Productions. “I played in the wide areas at times and you’ve got to track your runners as well. As much as you like going forward, you’ve got to do a good job for your team. He’ll be disappointed with what he sees there when he looks back at it.”

Parlour was also candid about Leeds’ overall performance, suggesting Mikel Arteta’s side were second best for much of the contest. “I thought Leeds were the better team up to that 60th minute when they made the substitution, until the equaliser, and they deserved it,” he said.

Despite the criticism, Parlour was quick to credit Madueke’s role in Arsenal’s equaliser, which came from a deep cross that Calafiori headed home. “He is better going forward, we know that,” Parlour added. “It was a real deep cross at the back post and it is a brilliant header across. Calafiori gets into a dangerous area and he finishes it. It was a much-needed goal for Arsenal at that time because Leeds looked pretty comfortable before that goal.”

Madueke has had a difficult start to life at Arsenal since his move from Chelsea. The England winger has made just three starts this season, only one of which has come in the Premier League, with his sole goal arriving in a Carabao Cup win against Ipswich Town.

The former Chelsea forward has been linked with a departure in the January transfer window, with Atletico Madrid and Juventus both reported to be monitoring his situation as he struggles for regular minutes under Arteta.