The double transfer Arsenal must complete to vindicate Noni Madueke move as concerns explained

Look, I’m sceptical. The deal that Arsenal are embarking on in signing Noni Madueke is one that, when it emerged, was a real possibility. I had a similar feeling to when it emerged in January that the club were pursuing a move for Ollie Watkins.

I try to make sense of these things but recognise too that until all the business is completed, it’s very difficult to have a strong stance either way. Hypothetically if a move for Madueke blocked Arsenal from landing a top striker or was an obstacle for a deal to Eberechi Eze too, I’d find that very concerning and be understanding of the criticism that should follow.

For the record, for now my understanding for football.london is that this is not the case. Arsenal do indeed plan on attempting to sign Eze and, as we have discovered, Viktor Gyokeres to be the new striker in addition to Madueke.

It was believed Arsenal wanted three attacking signings, and this would check those boxes. The issue for most stems from the fact that in our minds, the left-wing area would have been an exciting marquee addition.

Rodrygo’s name, for instance, has been ever-present this window, giving supporters a view of a potential unicorn-like signing. Bringing in a player from Real Madrid? I’m getting Alexis Sanchez 2014 vibes!

But in reality, take away the Real Madrid badge and look at the cold, hard facts. Rodrygo is an exciting player who has been used mainly in his less favourable role on the right, far less so in his natural left-wing position, but the numbers for a player like Eze are simply more impressive right now.

Add to that Eze is playing for Crystal Palace in a tougher league against, on average, more challenging opponents each week, and you have to ask yourself if he is indeed the better player. Consider also that Eze has multiple double-digit league goalscoring seasons (Rodrygo doesn’t) and is ready-made for the division Arsenal is in. Despite that, Eze is still not a no-brainer over the Los Blancos man for many.

I set out at the start of the window with a goal for Arsenal in mind: A backup goalkeeper, a defender, a defensive midfielder, another one should Thomas Partey leave, a winger and a striker. I got greedy too and said I’d love us to sign an attacking midfield option to make it a potentially 10/10 window, perhaps the best window ever in the club’s history of doing summer business.

Well, at the moment Arsenal are on their way to ticking off all those boxes. Backup keeper, done: Kepa Arrizabalaga. Defender: talks ongoing with Valencia for the versatile Cristhian Mosquera. Starting defensive midfielder, done: Martin Zubimendi.

Partey and Jorginho leave, Christian Norgaard comes in to join the Spaniard as options for the number six. Madueke, deal agreed with Chelsea and comes in as a wide option for Mikel Arteta.

As for the striker, the hope is that a deal for Gyokeres, a prolific but questionable centre-forward whose stock is of course very high among many fans, will be agreed soon. Then there is my luxury addition, Eze, who for me would be one of, if not the signing of the summer.

Ironically, despite those potential seven additions, Arsenal might not even be done. Should one of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli go, which is not beyond the realms of possibility, then they could even go in for a fourth attacking signing.

Forget that for a second, the hypothetical seven signings there would indeed represent a very impressive summer. It’d hit the 9/10 desire I wanted with room for a cherry on the cake if it was to come along.

Yet, when speaking with fans, this was not a sentiment shared. In fact, for many it barely crept into the sevens and eights. I’ll say it again: top striker, top defensive midfielder, top versatile attacking midfielder, depth for four other positions… sevens? Sixes? Fives!

I get that there are always many in a poll that vote for the funny answer, but I’ve seen some relatively lengthy attempts at even explaining a 6/10 for those seven signings this summer. I think the primary cause of discontent is the hypothetical element.

If Eze and Gyokeres were through the door already and Madueke was joining them with pre-season matches still to come, the mood would, in my view, be much improved from what it is now.

As usual, fans will be asked to be patient, we will have to wait and see what happens and whether the Gunners can get their deals done while maybe pulling off a surprise toward the end too. Until then, the meltdowns will continue.

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