Chris Sutton says ‘really smart’ Arsenal signing has damaged Chelsea

Chris Sutton says a ‘really smart’ Arsenal signing not only strengthened Mikel Arteta’s squad but damaged London rivals Chelsea.

Premier League and Champions League leaders Arsenal suffered a rare defeat at Aston Villa at the weekend but got back to winning ways against Club Brugge on on Wednesday night.

Noni Madueke’s brace and a Gabriel Martinelli stunner inspired Arsenal’s routine 3-0 win in Belgium as the Gunners maintained their perfect record in Europe.

Ex-Premier League striker Sutton was particularly impressed by Madueke’s performance and said the England winger is increasingly looking like a ‘really smart signing’ for the Gunners.

Sutton also believes Madueke was a significant ‘loss’ to Chelsea after he swapped west for north London in a summer deal worth just over £50m.

‘It wasn’t just with his goals that Noni Madueke made an impact, he did really well throughout the game and showed he is ready to do a job when he is called upon,’ Sutton said on BBC’s Match of the Day.

‘A lot is made of Arsenal’s strength in depth this season, and at the moment Arteta has got a few injuries in key positions.

‘But in those wide areas he has got plenty of options and the fact he could bring Madueke and Martinelli off the bench against Villa at the weekend and then start them tonight and see both of them score brilliant goals is a real positive.

‘More and more, Madueke looks like a really smart signing. I already thought he was a loss to Chelsea, but you are seeing now he is back from injury that Arsenal can have Saka off that right side, or use him – it bodes really well for them with such a busy period coming up.

‘Madueke was a constant threat off that right-hand side tonight. He likes to come inside and get shots off, and got the second goal by attacking the far post too, which pretty much sealed the game.

‘Gabriel Martinelli was not so effective off the left but still got a really good goal and overall it was a really good evening for Mikel Arteta when you consider how stretched his squad is and how tired they looked at the weekend.

‘So for Arsenal to win away like this in the Champions League is a great result for them.

‘In the first half there wasn’t really much in it, just the goal from Madueke, and Club Brugge had a few chances but even with Norgaard having to fill in at centre-half, they still looked quite steady.

‘In the end though it was just about getting three points for Arsenal and avoiding any more injuries and they achieved both of those aims.

‘They are still top of the Champions League and they still have a 100% record.

‘They know they must be going through and they even have the luxury of maybe resting players now in their next game against Inter, which is exactly where Arteta wants to be.’

As Sutton mentioned, Arsenal have now all but secured their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The Gunners reached the semi-finals last season before losing to eventual winners PSG, but look an even bigger threat in Europe this term.

Speaking after Arsenal’s win over Club Brugge, Madueke said: ‘The first goal was really nice, second a tap in but the first one was sweet. We’re delighted with the result.

‘I think the bare minimum I need to give to my team is threat. Obviously trying to score and be as decisive as possible, that’s the next level I need to get to in terms of being consistently decisive for club and country. I think I can reach that level.’

As well as being the best team in the Champions League, Arsenal have been the best in the Premier League, boasting a two-point lead at the top of the table despite Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa.

Asked what he believed Arsenal could achieve this season, Madueke added: ‘We’re fighting on all fronts.

‘I feel like we can win this competition and win the league, that has to be the aim. We’re in a good place at the moment.’

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