Manchester United legend Roy Keane has tipped Arsenal winger Noni Madueke to prove some doubters wrong this season.

A large number of Gunners fans were against the club signing the forward from Chelsea, but speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, Keane said there is a chance that Madueke will succeed at the Emirates.

“He could be that surprise package, right? Sometimes a player comes in and he’s under that radar, and he actually does it.”

Mikel Arteta’s side paid an initial £48m for Madueke, with the total fee set to rise to £52m including add-ons, so he needs to do plenty to justify his price tag.

Where does Madueke fit into the starting lineup?

One of the main reasons why supporters were so against the transfer is that he doesn’t really fill a weakness in the first eleven.

Madueke is ostensibly a left-footed right winger, so while he can cover for Bukayo Saka when required, he is unlikely to displace the club’s No.7 from the team.

It has been suggested that Madueke could play on the left flank instead of Gabriel Martinelli. The England international played in that role at the back end of last season for Chelsea.

However, it is not his natural position, and spending the best part of £50m on a player only to use him in a different role than the one he is suited to seems nonsensical.

Will Arsenal sign another forward this summer?

The London club are believed to be interested in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo but neither transfer will be cheap.

Sales will be required, and there is some hope that Leandro Trossard will be offloaded over the coming weeks, but the delay could endanger their chances of securing their top targets. Tottenham are believed to be lining up an opening bid for Eze, while Manchester City have registered their interest in Rodrygo.

Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here