What Mikel Arteta told Noni Madueke speaks volumes about Eberechi Eze's nightmare at Arsenal

Noni Madueke inspired Arsenal to a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday evening, thanks to a clear and concise half-time pep talk from Mikel Arteta.

Mikel Arteta gave Noni Madueke five simple instructions during half-time of Arsenal's clash against Nottingham Forest, and he didn't disappoint. The 24-year-old winger, whom the Gunners signed from Chelsea for £50million last year, was brought on for Eberechi Eze at the break, with the Spaniard desperate to break the deadlock.

In the absence of Christos Tzolis, who's nursing a muscle injury, Madueke was given the nod when Arsenal faced Leeds United earlier this month. He looked set to remain in the starting lineup ahead of the Gunners' bout against the East Midlands outfit on Sunday evening until his fellow countryman, who arrived from Crystal Palace for £67.5m last year, too, stole the limelight during a 3-0 win over Lille in the Champions League.

Eze made a rare but excellent impression on the European stage, earning himself a start at the City Ground. But the 28-year-old midfielder was unable to pick up where he left off and crawled back into his shell.

Manchester City had beaten Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League – albeit only for a few hours – to six points, so Arteta threw the kitchen sink at Oliver Glasner's side.

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The Arsenal boss made the first of his many changes at half-time, replacing Eze with Madueke. During the break, Arteta gave the former Chelsea winger five simple instructions: 'hang in there', 'stick to the game plan', 'attack the opposition', 'be yourself', and, most importantly, 'be good defensively'.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Madueke said: "We know it's difficult here. A lot of the time it's cagey. I think the last three years, I was here last year, but not the year before; it's been 0-0. And at my old team as well. It's always difficult to come here."

He then revealed: "So I think he said 'hang in there, stick to the game plan'. And then to me, he always just says, 'go out there, try and attack the opposition and be dangerous and just be yourself and be good defensively as well'. And I think I did that today."

The former Crystal Palace talisman, who fell widely short of expectations, looked rather sorry for himself in the dugout in the second half. Had Eze followed the five simple instructions set by his gaffer, perhaps he wouldn't have been hooked at the break.

Perhaps Madueke's ability to acknowledge, understand, and ultimately respond effectively to orders explains exactly why Arteta has been so reluctant to trust his number 10. The former Chelsea winger has hardly proven to be a great signing either, but his out-of-possession contributions, sheer persistence to beat the opposition full-back, and intent to stretch the opposition at least make him a valuable asset.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday night, Arteta waxed lyrical about Madueke's mentality. He said: "Noni puts a smile on my face, because he’s a special character. Very much loved in and around the dressing room.

"The way he connects, talks to people, he’s just a special guy. I think I saw an interview where they were asking a few of our players Who would you call if you had a problem?’ and some of them said, Noni. I was surprised by that!

"But that’s a massive credit and shows the exact sort of person he is. After the break, he’s shown something else - another level of anger and conviction in his actions, and he’s becoming now decisive in matches, which is what we expect from our players."

Since swapping Selhurst Park for the Emirates Stadium, Eze has generally disappointed. He's flared up a handful of times, but otherwise proven unreliable, leaving others to shoulder much of the workload in the final third.

If Eze were to take a leaf out of Madueke's book, and 'hang in there', 'stick to the game plan', 'attack the opposition', 'be yourself', and, most importantly, 'be good defensively', like his fellow countryman, regardless of whether he's at the races or not, he would probably be one of the first names on the teamsheet...