Martin Keown singled out Arsenal’s matchwinner against Crystal Palace for praise after the Gunners celebrated winning the Premier League title at Selhurst Park.
Mikel Arteta’s side rounded off their domestic campaign with a 2-1 win that took their final points tally to 85 before lifting the trophy that had eluded the north London club for 22 years.
The strength of Arteta’s squad has been a vital ingredient of the success Arsenal have now enjoyed, particularly given the number of injuries to key players throughout a grueling campaign.
Noni Madueke’s contributions have been particularly significant, particularly in the absence of Bukayo Saka at various points in the season.
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The former Chelsea winger was to the fore again on Sunday and scored the decisive goal just after half-time.
It took time for the 24-year-old to win over the Arsenal fans following a difficult spell of Stamford Bridge, but he is now a Premier League winner looking forward to featuring for England at the World Cup next month.
‘Noni, you surprised me the most,’ Keown said, addressing Madueke after the game. ‘Remember at the beginning I said one or two of the fans weren’t sure.
‘But you’ve done an incredible job. You’re now going to a World Cup, you’ve won the Premier League. You’ve now really made a mark at this football club already.’
Responding to the club legend’s words of praise, Madueke said: ‘Thank you, I appreciate that first and foremost.
‘It’s a dream come true to go to the World Cup, to win the Premier League with the team. We have an incredible team like Mikel said.
‘It’s a team where you can put anyone in and perform to a really, really, really high level.
‘Obviously it’s my first season next season will be better and the seasons to come God willing.’
Whether Arsenal are capable of building on this landmark success remains to be seen, but the indications are that they will not be resting on their laurels.
Josh Kroenke has already spoken of plans to invest again come the summer and Arteta has already addressed the players of the need to live up to the standards they have now set.
‘What I said to the boys is that this shirt now represents something else. We are the champions and that brings a lot of confidence and a different kind of presence and energy to it,’ he revealed.
‘But as well another kind of responsibility as well. My job now, and everybody at the club, is going to be to live those standards now and achieve more and more because I think we are capable of winning.’