Martin Keown names ‘dynamic’ Arsenal star who ‘transformed’ game against Bayer Leverkusen

Martin Keown names ‘dynamic’ Arsenal star who ‘transformed’ game against Bayer Leverkusen Tony Mogan Published March 11, 2026 8:36pm Updated March 11, 2026 8:38pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Arsenal rescued a draw away in Germany (Picture: Getty)

Martin Keown has praised Noni Madueke for ‘transforming’ Arsenal in their Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen after replacing Bukayo Saka in the second-half.

The Gunners rescued a late draw thanks to Kai Havertz’s penalty in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie in Germany on Wednesday night.

It came after a rather limp and tired performance from the Premier League leaders who were caught sleeping at the start of the second-half, undone by a set piece as Robert Andrich headed the hosts in front.

Arteta made 10 changes to the side that beat Mansfield Town in the FA Cup on Saturday with a first choice XI restored. Saka was among those back in the side but struggled to make any real impact.

He was replaced by Madueke on the hour mark with the former Chelsea star winning the penalty that secured a draw for his side ahead of the return leg in north London next week.

Former Arsenal star Keown hailed the ‘decisive’ decision to replace Saka on the night, believing the introduction of Madueke changed the game.

‘They were certainly very sloppy at the start of the second-half so they will look at that the decisive management of Arteta, taking Saka off who was not having one of his best nights,’ Keown told TNT Sports.

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Madueke won Arsenal’s penalty (Picture: Getty Images)

‘There were reasons for that, it wasn’t just his fault, the structure on that right hand side just wasn’t right.

‘Madueke with that driving run getting the penalty, he was so dynamic when he came on and I think he transformed Arsenal on that right hand side.’

Saka was replaced after an hour (Picture: Getty)

But asked if Madueke could now start ahead of Saka, Keown was not convinced.  

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‘No. There are other reasons why it didn’t work over on that right hand side,’ he said.

‘You think about what they have had over the years with Odegaard, he would be on there to complement that three.

‘You might have Ben White making runs down the outside and Timber is coming  inside and they were doubling up on him. It wasn’t easy but Madueke found a way to get through.’

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