Premier League change goalscorer nearly 24 hours after match – as player’s plea is answered

Arsenal’s second goal in their 4-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday has been awarded to Noni Madueke.

The goal was initially determined as an own goal by Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow after he failed to deal with a corner from the right.

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The England international swung the ball in at the near post, and Darlow got across to make the punch.

The ball was going in anyway, but the former Newcastle United keeper ended up inadvertently punching the ball into his own net.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was in front of Darlow and slightly put the Welsh international off, but despite the corner being on target, the goal was initially given to Darlow by the Premier League.

Madueke had earlier provided an assist for Martin Zubimendi with a delightful cross from the right.

And Madueke’s now been given the goal, which ends his drought in the Premier League.

He hadn’t scored in the top-flight since January 2025 while at Chelsea against Manchester City.

And it seems the Premier League listened to his plea.

Speaking to the media after the match, he said: “How can that be an own goal?

“It was going on target. If the keeper’s not in the goal, then it goes in. So, I don’t understand how that is an own goal. Premier League, please take a look at that and fix it for me.”

The following day Madueke’s prayers were answered with the Premier League announcing at 2:28pm on Sunday that Arsenal’s second goal was given to the 23-year-old. Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus scored in the second half to seal a comfortable afternoon for the Gunners.

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Madueke stands up to be counted

Bukayo Saka was named in the starting XI for the Leeds clash at Elland Road.

But Saka suffered an injury during the warm-up, leading to Madueke getting the nod.

Since joining from Chelsea, there had been a lot of bright performances from the winger, without the end product.,

However, that changed in Yorkshire, with Madueke grabbing a goal and an assist.

It was the perfect response to getting an unexpected start.

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Saka latest

When asked about Saka’s fitness after the match, Mikel Arteta said: “So in the warm-up he had a little niggle, he wasn’t comfortable to start the game.

And in a separate interview, he revealed that the England international would have some tests.

Arteta added: “Now, we are going to have to do some tests tomorrow and see how he is.”

It remains to be seen if he can play any part in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

But Madueke stepped up, and Arsenal responded very well to their 3-2 defeat against Manchester United.

And the Spaniard was delighted.

Arteta said: “A very impressive performance, a very impressive result. And in the context that we’ve done it in.

“After three results that didn’t go our way in the league, we really wanted to show how much we wanted it and I think we’ve certainly done that today.

“The mentality is good. To play with that level of enjoyment about where we are, and then with the conviction to believe in what we do and how good we are, and that we can beat any opponent. We certainly did that.

“But then you have to show the quality as well in this league to do it, and it came out in great ways from different players as well.”