Arsenal have officially signed Noni Madueke from Chelsea in a deal reported to be worth up to £52 million, though the initial fee is around £48.5 million with add-ons.
It was a big moment. Madueke showed up with his teammates and family around him, and you could tell the club really believed in him.
But not all fans shared that optimism. As speculation turned into confirmation, a petition under the hashtag #NoToMadueke gathered over 5,000 signatures, arguing club leadership was making another mistake by signing yet another player from Chelsea.
Critics said Madueke didn’t have the numbers of goals and assists to match Arsenal’s main wingers like Martinelli or Saka, and that the club needed ambition not mediocrity.
Then Declan Rice spoke up.
"I Didn’t Like It" — Rice Speaks Honestly About the Criticism
Standing in front of reporters during Arsenal’s pre‑season tour in Asia, Rice didn’t mince words:
“I didn’t like it, if I’m speaking honestly”
He saud he found the backlash hard to watch but emphasized he knows Madueke well and believes in him. Rice said he’s talked with him and knows what to expect this season:
“You’re going to see what he’s about this season. I think he’s so driven and he’s really, really proven. He wants to prove and show everyone what he really can do… he’s hungry, he wants to play for Arsenal, and that’s the type of players we want.
I think he’s going to shock a lot of people, and I can’t wait for him to come.”
He described the arrival day, when Madueke turned up with “like 10 or 11 people” cheering him, Rice said that energy meant everything. As a senior figure at the club, Rice wanted Madueke to feel welcomed and supported.
Why Some Fans Weren’t Happy About the Signing
The backlash wasn’t just noise. Fans who felt let down by recent signings from Chelsea argued Arsenal needed bigger ambition. One petition read:
“We are so close to success… instead of capitalising on the squad we have, it seems we are moving two steps back… we can surely do better than Madueke.”
Some mural vandalism and social media rage followed messages like “Arteta Out” were graffitied near the Emirates. But voices from inside the wider fanbase pushed back, calling the negativity destructive.
Former player Rio Ferdinand was particularly vocal. He described the backlash as “an utter disgrace,” arguing it crossed a line into bullying and shaming a young player yet to prove himself in an Arsenal shirt.
Why Rice Believes in Madueke
Rice knows what it's like to adapt under pressure. He’s faced intense expectations at both club and international level. He sees Madueke as someone built for that environment.
Rice believes Madueke brings something Arsenal lacked, a fearless mentality where beating a defender is instinct. He shared.
“When you’re an attacking player and the first thought you have is to go past your defender, that’s an unbelievable trait.”
For Rice, that directness adds another layer to Arsenal’s attack. He said the whole squad and staff are buzzing about Madueke joining. He mentioned being part of a small group who wrote a welcome letter to him:
“I said I would love to write a letter for him… he messaged me saying he really, really appreciates it.”
That gesture, simple but personal, reflected how the squad sees him, not just another signing, but a teammate they believe in.
How Madueke Really Plays
Let’s be honest about the criticism, stats don’t always tell the full story. Madueke’s Premier League numbers for Chelsea (20 goals in 92 games) don’t jump off the page, but there’s depth behind them.
Last season he averaged the most shots per game of any winger, and converted more dribbles into goal attempts than anyone else in his position. He’s two‑footed and naturally aggressive in possession.
Coaches at Chelsea praised his work ethic and tactical discipline, he’s often described as a “mentality monster” with room for growth.
Even his early career path shows thoughtfulness, choosing PSV over Manchester United as a teenager to get regular first‑team football.
When adversity came, an Instagram row about Wolverhampton or falling down the pecking order under Chelsea, he still netted a hat‑trick against Wolves in August 2024, showing character in response, not retreat.
A Chance to Prove Himself
Picture that day in July when Madueke arrived at training. No tidy download of stats, no bullet point benefits. Just a young guy with enthusiastic family, energy, excitement. Rice called it good, pure excitement. That moment captured more than what a tweet can show.
Rice knows the spotlight, he’s been there, pressured and questioned. He sees in Madueke someone ready for that, even welcoming it. He told reporters that the players and staff already talk about it internally, the belief is real.
For Madueke, this is more than a transfer. It’s return home, he’s from North London, grew up in that area. It’s a shot at rewriting his story after a mixed time at Chelsea. And for Arsenal, it’s a gamble on potential with character behind it.
Why Arsenal Needed More Players This Season
Arsenal want to compete in the league, cups, and in Europe. Last season, injuries really affect Arsenal. They didn’t have many wingers left, midfield options limited, no enough substitution. Rice pointed out the difference Madueke and others could make:
“Let’s be real, last year we hardly had any depth in any areas. We played half the season pretty much with so many injuries… to now be able to rotate and push in different competitions… that’s key for us.”
Madueke may not start every match, but he gives Arteta flexibility. He can play on both wing, create chance, and take some pressure off Saka or Martinelli. And it makes others to play at their top level, having competition makes players play better.
Arsenal’s summer recruitment hasn’t stopped with him. Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, goalkeeper Kepa, possibly Viktor Gyökeres, there’s a clear pattern: strategic, competitive squad building.
A lot of people will be watching Noni Madueke closely this season, not just to see if he fits into Mikel Arteta’s plans, but to see how he responds to everything that came before he even kicked a ball for Arsenal.
The big question is how Arteta will actually use him. Will he start games immediately, or will he have to be subbed for Saka or Martinelli? Based on what Rice said and what we’ve seen in pre-season, Madueke won’t be sitting back and waiting, he’s going to push. That competition on the wings is only going to make the whole squad sharper.
Another thing to pay attention to is how he plays when it matters. It’s one thing to beat a man in training or in the closing minutes of a game when Arsenal are already ahead.
It’s something else to come off the bench at Anfield or in a Champions League night at the Emirates and change the tempo. That’s what Arsenal need from him. Moments. Impact. Not just flair, but final product.
Then there’s the mental side of it. Not every player finds it easy when people are already saying something bad about them before they even joined the team. For Madueke, that kind of early criticism could’ve made things worst.
It’ll also be worth watching how the dressing room responds to him long-term. Rice made it clear he’s already tried to make Madueke feel part of the group. If that relationship grows and the squad genuinely gets behind him, it’s going to show on the pitch.
A confident Madueke, playing with freedom and trust, could give Arsenal something they didn’t have before, someone unpredictabe and fearless.
And if that happens, then the conversation might quickly shift. Not about whether he should’ve been signed, but how Arsenal spotted something others didn’t.
What the Experts and Fans Are Saying
Sports Illustrated highlighted Rice’s comments that Madueke will “shock a lot of people” with his qualities and drive. TNT Sports picked up on the same tone.
Rice sees a transformational winger joining Arsenal, someone who stands out by mindset not just metrics. Meanwhile The Guardian called Madueke a disciplined and mentally strong character, despite the skepticism, praising his fitness work‑rate and humility.
Ferdinand’s remarks on the petition moment gave a moral context: healthy football debate is good, personal attacks are not. If thousands signed against him before he kicked a ball, Rice believes they should think twice about judging too soon.
Wanderlustsport Verdict
This article isn’t about debating a transfer fee. It’s about belief. Belief from a teammate, from the club, and from a player himself.
Rice chose to speak up, not for headlines, but because he believes in the Madueke.
If that belief is backed up, if Madueke brings the expectation, goals, improvement, petitions and tweets will fade into memory. And that arrival day excitement might feel prophetic.
Because Arsenal didn't just sign another winger. They signed a mindset. And the season ahead will tell if belief matches reality.