In July, no one wanted him. Not because of his talent, almost unanimously recognized, but because his former club, Chelsea, is a direct competitor. And Arsenal supporters no longer wanted to accept that. While his arrival was imminent, Noni Madueke was shaken by Gunners fans, who notably launched a petition against his signing and a #NoToMadueke.
His past with another competitor, Tottenham, should not have worked in his favor. Captain of the under-16s, he probably experienced particularly tense north London derbies against Arsenal. The Gunners management was nevertheless convinced of his potential and his good integration into the team. The Englishman therefore arrived, in exchange for a check for 56 million euros, with the desire to provide criticism.
Five months later, doubts about Noni Madueke have dissipated. Despite a knee injury which spoiled a few weeks, the right winger proved against Bayern Munich that he was a world-class player. This Wednesday, do it again with an exceptional goal against Club Brugge in the Champions League. A starter in Arteta’s team, the former PSV Eindhoven player unleashed a supersonic strike after a beautiful solo in the Bruges defense, before rushing into Arteta’s arms.
“Madueke is a courageous person,” the Spanish coach emphasized in September. We were about to recruit him and there was this reaction around him. I spoke to him and he told me: I’m in, I can’t wait to put on this jersey and play for this club. I said to myself: wow, let’s hire him. If I was already convinced before, I am even more so now. He has such power, such an ability to repeat efforts. »
The Englishman’s statements do not contradict this impression. “We are exposed, people can say what they want about you,” he said with great maturity. But in the stadium, the way the fans have embraced me is incredible. I play near the touchline. I feel them, I hear them. When they are so positive towards me, it galvanizes me. Honestly, I’m overwhelmed. » This goal proves it again, as does his double, from the start of the second half. Less spectacular and much simpler, the attacker finding himself alone at the penalty spot to recover a cross from Zubimendi.
