Gary Neville Surprised by Noni Madueke’s Impact at Arsenal, Compares Him to Arjen Robben

Manchester United legend and Sky Sports pundit, Gary Neville, has admitted he has been pleasantly surprised by Noni Madueke’s performances since joining Arsenal.

The England international, who made a £52 million switch from Chelsea to the Emirates, had faced skepticism from fans and critics alike. Many questioned why Mikel Arteta splashed such a hefty fee on a player who never fully established himself at Stamford Bridge.

However, Madueke has silenced doubters with a bright start to the new season. His electric display in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday added to the growing belief that the 22-year-old could become a key weapon for the Gunners.

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville admitted that Madueke has exceeded expectations and even likened his style of play to Dutch great Arjen Robben.

“Madueke is a lot better than I imagined and thought he would be. And certainly a lot better than Arsenal fans thought he would be,” Neville said.

“A couple of runs that he made for England on Tuesday night were a different level… Arjen Robben used to make those runs against me. I’m not saying Madueke is there yet, but his movement and the things that he’s doing are very, very good.”

Opinion: From Doubts to Delight – Madueke Might Be Arsenal’s Hidden Gem

When Arsenal signed Noni Madueke, the transfer felt like a gamble—one that many fans believed bordered on reckless. After all, £52 million for a Chelsea cast-off seemed like a repeat of the mistakes Arsenal have tried to avoid in recent years.

But football has a funny way of flipping narratives. In just a handful of appearances, Madueke has showcased the direct dribbling, explosive pace, and fearless movement that Arsenal’s frontline sometimes lacked when Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli were unavailable.

Neville’s comparison to Robben may seem lofty, but it speaks volumes about Madueke’s potential. If he can refine his end product and stay consistent, Arsenal may have unearthed not just a useful squad player but a future star who could redefine their attacking depth.

Sometimes, the signings that spark the loudest debates turn out to be the sweetest victories. For Arsenal fans, Madueke’s rise could become a story of redemption—not just for the player himself, but for the club’s transfer policy that dared to take a risk.