95% passing: Martin Keown says "dynamic" Arsenal star "transformed" game vs Leverkusen

Arsenal legend Martin Keown was impressed with the performance of winger Noni Madueke during the club’s 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

The Gunners secured a hard-fought result against the Bundesliga outfit on the road last night. Robert Andrich opened the scoring for the hosts with a towering header from an early corner in the second half.

Mikel Arteta’s side toiled hard for the equaliser and eventually scored from the penalty spot in the 89th minute. Noni Madueke won the spotkick that Havertz converted against his boyhood club.

Speaking after the game, Keown said that the Gunners were ‘very sloppy’ after the restart and got punished. He added that Madueke was so ‘dynamic’ when he came on and ‘transformed’ Arsenal.

He told TNT Sports: “They were certainly very sloppy at the start of the second half and then Arsenal got punished. So they will look at that thinking decisive management, taking Saka off when he’s not having one of his best nights.

“There were reasons for that that weren’t his fault, the structure on the right-hand side wasn’t quite right. Madueke, that driving run getting the penalty. He was so dynamic when he came on and that transformed Arsenal.”

Madueke had a superb cameo, replacing Saka on the right wing. The former Chelsea man completed 95 percent of his passes (19/20), while winning all of his duels (3/3). He also won his only tackle and dribble on the night in a dazzling display.

Saka, on the other hand, had a forgettable trip to Leverkusen. The standing captain registered only 16 successful passes with two duels won. Arteta made the right choice to bring him off for Madueke at the hour mark, and it paid dividends.

Arsenal were far from their best in the second half at the BayArena, but will be pleased to have come out of the game with a draw. The Gunners will be favourites to beat Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday to progress to the last eight of the Champions League.

One thing is for sure, the Gunners won’t have an easy game with Leverkusen, who have improved defensively in recent months. Arsenal need a quick start with a goal at the Emirates next week, or there could be some nervous tension around the stadium.

The Gunners’ immediate focus will shift to Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off against Everton at home. The club have a seven-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Arsenal have the opportunity to increase the advantage to 10 points with Pep Guardiola’s side only in action against West Ham United on the road after the Gunners’ encounter against the Toffees.

Man City were dominated by Real Madrid in a 3-0 Champions League loss on Wednesday. They recently drew against Forest in the league (2-2) and now face a tricky challenge against a resurgent Hammers side.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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