Theo Walcott criticizes Arsenal star after frustrating Hull City win

Theo Walcott says Noni Madueke is playing with “freedom” at Arsenal Theo Walcott has praised Noni Madueke following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Hull City, saying the winger has now earned the confidence of his Gunners teammates. Arsenal had a difficult afternoon at the Emirates Stadium and needed a sharp response from Martin Odegaard, who reacted quickest to a rebound and scored the winner in the 72nd minute. Madueke had been a constant threat down Arsenal’s right side, and it was his effort that was initially saved by Konstantinos Tzolakis before Odegaard pounced to finish.

The 24-year-old has come in for criticism from some Arsenal fans since his £52 million move from Chelsea last year, but Walcott believes he has now settled into Mikel Arteta’s team. “I think he’s just playing with that freedom and confidence,” Walcott told Premier League Productions. “I think the players around him understand that if he loses the ball, they’ll win it back for him, and they trust him.

They’re giving him the ball more and more because he can do things that other players can’t. “He can be frustrating, and with wingers you do get that inconsistency. I was one of those players at times who you could get frustrated with.

But you always go again. “I think it’s about going back to your strengths as a winger, not overthinking things, and playing with that freedom. “His decision-making, getting shots away, having the freedom to get into the box and be dangerous, that’s where he’ll get his rewards.

If you’re relentless against defenders, you keep them guessing all the time, and that’s what he does. He’s hard to deal with. “He’s also a different player to Bukayo Saka, doing things in a slightly different way.

I’ve been really impressed with him because he’s had to be patient.”