Gunners have new weapon that could be key to their title chances

When you are competing with Bukayo Saka for minutes, you have to take your chances.

No player has made more appearances for Arsenal than Saka since Mikel Arteta was appointed six years ago.

Saka has been instrumental to the way Arsenal play, but in this packed schedule, even he needs a rest.

Arsenal spent years looking for competition and cover for Saka, and it appears that they finally have it.

Madueke was electric against Club Brugge, opening the scoring with a brilliant solo goal and being named player of the match.

Picking the ball up out wide, he shrugged off two defenders and surged forward before hitting the back of the net with a thumping strike off the crossbar.

It was a real moment of magic, the kind Arsenal do not produce enough of, and just what they needed on what could have been a difficult night.

Decimated by injuries in defence, the Arsenal back four was under pressure at times from a Club Brugge side fired up by the appointment of a new head coach on Monday.

Madueke’s stunning strike stopped them in their tracks, while his second goal - a simple header at the back post - killed any momentum Brugge hoped to conjure after the half-time break.

“The first goal was really nice, the second a tap-in, but the first one was sweet,” said Madueke. “I am 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.”

It is probably difficult for Arteta to think about the luxury of rotating players right now, given Arsenal’s injury issues.

They went into this game without three centre-backs in Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel and William Saliba.

Jurrien Timber, who filled in there at Villa Park last weekend, was unable to do so again due to a knock.

It forced Arteta to pair Piero Hincapie with midfielder Christian Norgaard, who did occasionally play in defence for Brentford.

Norgaard did a steady enough job in what was only his fourth start of the season, helping Arsenal keep yet another clean sheet.

“Christian Norgaard is someone who probably prepares the best out of all of them,” said Arteta. “He is someone who makes all of us better every single day.

“He can play in any position; whether he plays more or less minutes, his attitude is immaculate, a really good example for all of us.”

Rotation has never been a strong point for Arteta during his time at Arsenal.

In the past, it has felt like he did not fully trust his squad and therefore he was reluctant to rest his big players.

But that mindset feels like it is changing and this was the second midweek match in a row that Saka was named on the bench.

He was also a substitute against Brentford last week, which was a game Arsenal won comfortably, too.

Victories like that one, and this win in Brugge, should convince Arteta that he now has the squad to really rotate.

Resting Saka is the ultimate example of that, given the important role he has played throughout Arteta’s whole time at Arsenal.

There is arguably no player who has had a greater impact on Arteta’s project than Saka, who is essentially the face of this team.

If Arsenal are to get over the line, though, they will need everyone to contribute - and not just Saka. That is especially the case given their injury issues.

“We’re fighting on all fronts,” said Madueke. “I feel like we can win this competition and win the league, that has to be the aim.”

Madueke showed against Brugge how he is ready and waiting in the wings. (The Standard)

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