It looks like Mikel Arteta is going back to the Stamford Bridge well again. Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly agreed on a deal for England winger Noni Madueke, with the final fee expected to be just over £50 million including add-ons, according to the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano.
And yes, he said the magic words “Here we go” so you can take that as a done deal.
Now, in any other situation, signing a young, talented, English winger might stir some excitement. But this one’s different.
A large chunk of the Arsenal fanbase isn’t thrilled, and you don’t have to dig deep on social media to see why.
Madueke to Arsenal: The Facts First
Madueke is 23. Still learning. He’s fast and tries to dribble defenders, but he hasn’t fully settled yet. He can play on both side, though he’s mostly played on the right, same position Saka plays.
According to multiple reports, Arsenal had been keeping tabs on him for a while, but interest really picked up this week. Once the Gunners got wind of Chelsea being open to selling, they acted quickly.
Personal terms were sorted out first he’s agreed to a five-year deal at the Emirates and then the two London clubs started talking money. The result? A fee agreed, medical incoming, announcement pending.
“Another Chelsea Player? Seriously?”
That’s the mood online.
This isn’t the first time Arsenal have knocked on Chelsea’s door. They’ve already brought in Jorginho, Kai Havertz, Willian, and most recently Kepa Arrizabalaga (on loan) from the blue side of London. And none of those moves, if we’re being honest, have set the world on fire, especially not Havertz, whose £65m price tag still hangs heavy over his head.
One Arsenal fan posted on X:
“It’s like we’re a Chelsea retirement home or something. What’s the obsession?”
Another wrote:
“Madueke has barely done anything in a Chelsea shirt. Why are we throwing £50m at this?”
Even the hashtag #NoToMadueke started trending on X, which is wild when you think about it. Imagine being the player, scrolling your feed and seeing your name plastered everywhere but in a bad way. That’s not a welcome. That’s a warning.
But Is It Really That Bad?
Let’s be fair. Madueke’s time at Chelsea hasn’t really gone to plan. He came in from PSV back in early 2023, but things haven’t clicked. He’s barely had a proper run of games. With all the manager changes and different systems, it’s been hard for anyone to get settled especially a young player like him.
When he’s played, though, you can see flashes. He’s quick, direct, and has the sort of one-on-one skill Arsenal have lacked outside of Saka. According to WhoScored, he averaged 2.1 dribbles per game in the Premier League last season. For context, that’s more than Gabriel Martinelli and even Saka in some stretches.
Former Chelsea youth coach Joe Edwards, who worked with Madueke as a teenager, once said:
“He always had confidence, always took players on. Even as a young kid, you could tell he had that bit of arrogance attackers need.”
So it’s not like Arsenal are buying a dud. But spending £50m million plus on potential, especially when other areas of the squad need attention, is a risk and that’s what’s frustrating the fans.
What About Rodrygo?
Let’s not pretend the fans’ disappointment is only about Madueke’s Chelsea roots. A big part of it is that Rodrygo Goes–yes, that Rodrygo from Real Madrid was reportedly Arsenal’s dream target for the wing.
He’s Champions League proven, experienced, and still only 23. Fans got excited. But now?
Handing £50m to Chelsea for Madueke could indirectly help them land Rodrygo instead. Chelsea are in the mix for the Brazilian too, and Arsenal just gave them a sizeable cash injection.
One fan joked (but not really):
“We’re funding Chelsea’s Rodrygo bid so they can knock us out of Europe next season. Top-tier banter club behaviour.
Does This Solve Anything for Arsenal?
Honestly, it depends on how Arteta plans to use him.
Madueke isn’t a replacement for Saka, but he could give the England star much-needed rest.
Arsenal have been guilty of overplaying Saka, who’s picked up knocks and fatigue late in seasons. Having someone like Madueke, who’s comfortable on the right and can cut inside or take it wide, adds a new layer.
Arteta seems to want more positional flexibility in the front three. With Gabriel Jesus dealing with injuries and Leandro Trossard used more as a utility option, bringing in another wide attacker makes some tactical sense.
But again, £50m? For a squad player? That’s where the eyebrows go up.
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze Still on Radar
Despite the noise around Madueke, Arsenal’s summer business might not be done.
According to The Independent, Eberechi Eze is still a target. The Crystal Palace midfielder would offer something totally different creativity, dribbling through the middle, and a serious set-piece threat.
He’d cost even more than Madueke, though, possibly £60–70m, and after this deal, it’s hard to see Arsenal splashing again unless there are big outgoings.
But if Eze comes in, people might start feeling a bit better. He’d add something different in midfield. m
More spark, more drive. Ødegaard had to do way too much last season on his own.
What Happens Next?
Arsenal fans are split. Some see Madueke as a smart signing for the future, someone who hasn’t had a fair chance at Chelsea and could blossom under Arteta’s coaching. Others view it as another example of confusing recruitment. A panic buy, or worse, just doing Chelsea a favour.
There’s still time for opinions to change. A good pre-season and a few sharp cameos could swing things. Remember how many people doubted Ben White when he signed for £50m? Or even Aaron Ramsdale?
Arteta and sporting director Edu clearly have a plan. They’ve earned some trust after last season’s title charge and smart deals like Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Tomiyasu. But the Chelsea links will always make fans twitchy, especially when the players coming in haven’t shown consistent Premier League form.
One thing’s for sure: if Madueke flops, the finger-pointing will be loud. But if he turns up and starts tearing full-backs apart at the Emirates, people will forget all about hashtags.
What’s the Verdict?
Look, this isn’t the signing Arsenal fans were dreaming of but it’s also not as bad as the outrage suggests.
Madueke is young, English, technical, and still raw. That means he could be brilliant or just fade away. Arsenal are betting big on Arteta’s ability to develop talent again. If it works out, great. If not, we just have to wait and see
Fans are already kicking off, which I get. The Chelsea stuff’s annoying, no doubt. But let’s be real, it ain’t that deep yet. We haven’t even seen him play.
Yes, £50m feels steep. But no, this isn’t a disaster. It might not be a blockbuster, but it’s a move with upside.
Let’s just hope it’s not another Willian situation.
WanderlustSport Take
We’ve criticised Arsenal’s transfer moves before but let’s give this one a chance. It’s a risk, no doubt. But it’s not reckless. They clearly needed someone who can fill in out wide, so they’ve taken a shot on him. Maybe it’ll go well, or not but either way, it won’t be boring.