The 23-year-old featured for Chelsea at the Club World Cup earlier this summer and therefore was not part of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia which saw the Gunners lose to Tottenham, beat Ac Milan and narrowly defeat Newcastle United 3-2.
Madueke was reportedly keen to join Arsenal on the pre-season tour, but the club wouldn’t allow it given the player’s need for a break with manager Mikel Arteta saying it wasn’t worth the risk to integrate him so soon.
“With Noni it wasn’t possible because he needed some time, and he’s going to take a short vacation,” Arteta said last month. “He said he wants to join straight away, as soon as we are back.”
However, the England international was back in training last week, ahead of the rest of the Arsenal squad rejoining him this week in North London where the side will face Villa real and Athletic Club at the Emirates Stadium in their final piece of preparation before the start of the new campaign.
Madueke will hope to make his Arsenal debut in one of those matches before making his Premier League debut for the side against United on Sunday the 17th August. Arsenal fans will be keen to see where Mikel Arteta uses Madueke, as the player is capable of operating on both flanks in what should be an interesting tactical insight going forward.