Mikel Arteta has revealed that Noni Madueke left him "no option" but to start him in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Leeds. The Gunners came from behind to secure the victory, responding to James Justin's opener through goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimaraes.
Madueke starts ahead of Eze
Madueke started the match on the left wing, getting the nod over Eberechi Eze in the absence of the injured Christos Tzolis. Arteta has largely been reluctant to use Madueke on the left over the past 12 months, but his thinking was changed over the international break.
Madueke was not called up for England duty and so he was one of the few first-team players to remain at the training ground and work with Arteta. The winger took that opportunity to impress his manager and he took his opportunity on the pitch as well against Leeds.
Match-winning contribution
No player created more chances than Madueke, who also led the way for touches in the opposition box. His curling cross led to Arsenal's equaliser as the momentum turned in the hosts' favour and Arteta hailed Madueke's contribution.
"I'm really happy because he deserved the chance that he got and he grabbed it with both hands," Arteta said. "When I haven't liked so much what he was doing or he wasn't impacting the game, I made certain decisions. He has accepted them.
"What he's done is raise the level and in training he's been the best player in the last ten days. He gave me no option not to select him and not to play him today. You could see that every time he was in and around the ball, he looked a threat."
