Arsenal winger names Ola Aina as his toughest opponent

England and Arsenal attacker Chukwunonso ‘Noni’ Madueke has labelled Super Eagles defender Ola Aina as the toughest full-back he’s played against, Afrik Foot reports.

The 23-year-old made a €56m move to Arsenal from Chelsea last summer, but has been an understudy to the established Bukayo Saka.

11 of Madueke’s 19 Premier League appearances this season have come with him included in the starting lineup, and the ex-PSV man could become a league winner if Arsenal keep up their performances for the final ten games of the 2025/2026 campaign.

Arsenal’s Madueke names Ola Aina as his toughest opponent

Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina missed the majority of the first half of the season after he suffered a hamstring tear.

However, he’s returned since the turn of the year to help Forest in their race against a drop from the English top-flight.

The Reds have already parted ways with four coaches this season – Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche.

Still, Aina has seen his name in the headlines recently. In an interview with TNT Sports, Madueke revealed the ex-Chelsea man is the toughest full-back he’s played against.

“I’ll give Ola Aina his flowers. I’ve played against him a couple of times, and it’s always tough,” the Arsenal winger said.

“He’s very physical, very strong, but also he’s very good on the ball. Some people would probably not give him the credit for that,” Madueke concluded.

Noni Madueke has played against Ola Aina five times, failing to score in any of those games.

However, he’s emerged on the winning side against the Nigerian twice, drawing twice as well.