Noni Madueke calls on Arsenal to ‘push boundaries’ after statement win

Noni Madueke celebrated his first Arsenal goal and then challenged the club to “keep pushing boundaries” at home and in Europe.

England winger Madueke returned from two months out with a knee injury to fire the Gunners towards a statement 3-1 Champions League win over German giants Bayern Munich.

The 23-year-old, who joined from Chelsea in the summer amid some opposition – and a petition against his signing – from Arsenal fans,  replaced the injured Leandro Trossard in the first half.

Bayern teenager Lennart Karl had cancelled out Jurrien Timber’s opener for the hosts before Madueke tucked in a cross from Mikel Merino after half-time.

Gabriel Martinelli, also back from a spell out, capitalised on goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s error to hit the third as the Premier League leaders maintained their 100 per cent record in Europe and hit the top of the Champions League table.

“It was a top night, a great night,” Madueke told the club website. “A Champions League night, so it was perfect to get my first goal for the club and for the win on top. It’s a perfect night.

“I had a long injury, it was difficult, but now I’ve made up for it. It’s amazing. I can’t really say much more, just amazing.

“It’s massive, it’s massive what we’re producing at the moment, not just in the Champions League but our domestic form, and we need to continue at this level and just keep it going.

“The level we’re playing at right now is incredible and we need to try and keep adapting, keep pushing it, keep pushing boundaries and that’s the only way we can stay there.”

The big games keep coming for Arsenal, who face a Premier League trip to second-placed Chelsea on Sunday – one Madueke is looking forward to.

“You go eight weeks without the thing you love the most in the world,” he added, “so you are chomping at the bit to just be on the pitch as much as possible. I can’t wait.”