Arsenal dropped Mbeumo move after winger refused backup role to Saka
Arsenal’s pursuit of wide attacking depth this summer almost followed a different path. And there have been reports suggesting that the North Londoners made a serious play for Bryan Mbeumo, with a fee slightly higher than what they eventually paid for Noni Madueke on the table.
The Gunners saw Mbeumo as an ideal addition to compete across both flanks, with his Premier League experience and strong output at Brentford making him a standout candidate. However, one issue proved too difficult to resolve.
Mbeumo didn’t want a backup role to Saka
While Arsenal were confident in Mbeumo’s technical fit and pressing ability, the 25-year-old was reluctant to accept a role that saw him directly behind Bukayo Saka on the right. The idea of sharing minutes on the left, where Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard already rotate, didn’t convince him either.
In short, Mbeumo wanted to be a guaranteed starter, and Arsenal were never going to make that promise given the form and importance of Saka. Once it became clear that he wouldn’t agree to a squad role, the club didn’t hesitate to move on.
✉️| Arsenal had concrete interest in Bryan Mbeumo and were prepared to offer a fee slightly exceeding what they eventually paid for Noni Madueke, I have it on good authority.
However, Mbeumo was…
— HareeDev 🇲🇾 (@AFCDieHard) July 17, 2025
Why Madueke became the preferred option
That’s when Arsenal pivoted to Noni Madueke, a player who had already shown flashes of explosive potential and shares a similar skill set to Mbeumo. He is two years younger, more open to a developmental role, and tactically offers flexibility that Mikel Arteta values highly.
Madueke’s ability to take on players one-v-one, attack the inside channel from the right, and contribute creatively across the final third aligned with what Arsenal were searching for. His arrival now gives Arteta a legitimate option to rest or rotate Saka without significantly dropping the level.
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Noni is more than ideal…
Arsenal’s wide attacking options have quietly become one of the most competitive units in the squad. While Mbeumo may have walked away from the move, the club arguably ended up with the more long-term solution in Madueke. And crucially, they signed someone who fully understands and accepts his role within the project.
