Some Gooners have openly expressed their discontent over the Noni Madueke transfer to Arsenal. Arsenal Legend Sol Campbell, who joined Arsensal from arch-rivals Tottenham back in the day, has called for Arsenal to explain their transfer decision to fans.
But despite the #NOTOMADUEKE campaign among fans, news broke on Thursday night that Arsenal had reached an agreement with Chelsea over the deal.
The former PSV Eindhoven star is set to sign a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium after completing his medical. An announcement by the club is expected soon.
Now, for Gooners, the focus shifts to the positives of this deal.
Like Gyökeres, Madueke wants to prove himself at Arsenal.
Why Madueke Chose Arsenal
One positive stems from why the winger chose Arsenal.
As reported by The Guardian, Madueke opted for a fresh challenge in pursuit of more regular football, given Chelsea’s influx of attacking signings, including Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian and Liam Delap.
That in itself suggests the 23-year-old is not joining Arsenal to make up the numbers. He is arriving with the intent to push and push hard for a place in the starting XI. That should count for something.
A regular under Enzo Maresca last season, Madueke made 32 Premier League appearances, scoring seven goals and registering four assists.
He Has the Tools and the Trajectory
He is far from being washed, and certainly not a repeat of Arsenal’s last winger raid on Stamford Bridge.
He will get better.
He is not the finished article. He needs polishing. But he also has the tools and the trajectory to improve, something Maresca himself touched on:
“I have seen since we started that the players are improving, and that is the most important thing.
“Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Noni Madueke – so many of these players are getting better and better.”
Though he did not hit top form at Chelsea, it would be short-sighted to ignore the obvious: he is young, versatile, brilliant on the ball, and his dribbling is top-notch. The talent is there. The future looks bright.
In football, the environment is everything, and the Emirates Stadium was always where Madueke was meant to thrive.
Thoughts Gooners?
Daniel O
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OT – Cazorla has signed a new one year extension with Oviedo. I hope he’s able to keep them up after that thrilling promotion run. So happy for Santi, he deserves to continue enjoying the game he loves so much.
Bruised Banana,
Well said, Cazorla what a player. 👍
This is looking like Arsenal trying to cover every possible scenario for the upcoming season. Madueke, Gyokeres, Norgaard, Casado, Kepa, Zubimendi. It looks to be a $250 million spree; or more of Palace’s Eze is still in the mix.
There are two problems with this; first, it is hard to imagine Arsenal having the kind of squad Harmony title winning teams have with a lot of players who have proven themselves at Arsenal with reduced roles, or perhaps, no roles at all.
Hard to imagine Trossard, Martinelli, or Nwaneri getting a minute unless Arsenal move on some of their existing players.
Three deep on the left wing, three deep at attacking midfield, three deep at left back, three deep at holding midfield… and the players sidelined aren’t chopped liver; they’re good players.
Zinchenko, Calafiori, or Lewis-Skelly at left back. Zubimendi, Norgaard, or Casado at holding midfield, Rice or Merino at central midfield, Saka and… well, no one at right wing. Madueke can play there, but did Arsenal just sign him to be Saka’s back up, or is he supposed to replace Martinelli?
At Attacking midfield, Odegaasrd is backed up by Nwaneri, sort of, but also, perhaps Havertz if Gyokeres is signed… which is looking like a high risk move all of a sudden. Gyokeres with Gabriel Jesus in reserve makes sense, but perhaps Havertz too. And center back is again short, with Kirior, the injured Magalhaes, and Saliba; with the repurposed Ben White in reserve?
Another thing to consider with Gyokeres going on strike to force a move; Arteta does not have a great record when dealing with players who have minds of their own. Bringing in a vocal, stubborn rebel for a manager who is very much a my way or the highway disciplinarian might not be a great fit.
And a failure to sign a top tier striker at this point, after all the twists and turns and gyrations; could derail the whole spending spree. Oops.
Let him come through, his a big deal, is a 3 lion member. We need a dribbler, a player who can isolate defenders and leave them out of position… You know what that means ( freeing up space for Gyokores and Co…)
This guy will definitely replace Martinelli or make him play even better……… Imagine Madueke on the left and Saka on the right with Gyokores in the middle…… The signing of EZE will spice up everything.
With Kepa, we shall have 4 Premier league proven signings and this will make us compete on all fronts.