Arsène Wenger warned in his final year as manager that some Gooners were in danger of jeopardising the proud values that the club stands for, standards he helped maintain.
I have thought about that when listening to some fans’ reaction regarding Noni Madueke being close to becoming a Gunner.
The irony being that, out of all the players to move from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates, apparently buying a 23-year-old is the hill a section of our fanbase want to die on?
Cech, Luiz, Jorginho and Sterling were all past their best, yet there seemed to be understanding as to why we recruited them.
So it seems backwards that, once we bring in someone who has not even hit his peak years from Chelsea, some supporters want to take a stand. I know some of my peers are more offended by the idea of Madueke moving to North London than Arrizabalaga!
Which one do you think will play more?
Fan Reactions Have Been Harsh
If you had never watched the Premier League before and were basing your opinion purely on some of our fans’ reactions, you would think Madueke is really bad at football.
It is so harsh, especially because I think the Englishman is simply guilty of circumstances out of his control.
There is a fear that, if this deal gets confirmed, it ends the interest in Rodrygo.
Possibly Eze as well?
Could it even indicate Ethan Nwaneri is considering not extending his contract?
If any of those situations come to fruition, that is not Madueke’s fault.
Real Madrid and Crystal Palace will demand a big figure for the attackers we have on our shortlist.
Haggling over every last penny will not work in these negotiations.
Andrea Berta needs to accept both deals are expensive or move on.
Meanwhile, if an 18-year-old expects any guarantees, then he is telling you he does not have the mentality to get us to the level we are apparently aiming for.
Arsenal legend Sol Campbell even called for Arsenal to explain the transfer after fans created the petition.
Squad Depth Still Matters
It is funny how the teenager only has to have an okay game to be labelled great, yet it feels like a player with better stats than him is being written off before he has kicked a ball.
Which one was dropped in the run-in?
I am surprised that some of my peers did not learn from January. I thought that would have taught everyone that we need a squad player who can play in various positions and do a job.
The last time the Gunners won a title, players like Parlour and Edu were crucial, professionals who did not start every week but whom you could trust when needed to do a job.
No team has two world-class players competing for every position.
To find an alternative for Saka, you need to find the balance between someone good enough to cover in his absence but not too good that he will be upset being rotated.
I read that 4,000 people so far have signed a petition to try and get Arsenal to change their minds on this transfer.
If I believed this kind of action would make any difference to how our club is run, there are so many more pressing issues I can think of…
Increase in membership prices
The ballot system
No striker in January
The net spend in the last few windows
The amount of contracts ripped up
Players loaned out to get them off the wage bill
Our recruitment strategy
Noni Madueke would not be on that list!!!!
Your thoughts are much appreciated in the comments, but let’s be reasonable on this..
Dan Smith
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Let’s be honest..
Fans are just not happy that club has moved so quickly with negotiation to pay so much for Noni who is deemed a backup resource instead of wrapping up negotiation for striker as priority signing for Arsenal…
If the signing came after striker i doubt people would have issues with it.
Let’s face it 4000 fan complaints out of 40 000 000 000 000 Arsenal fans is a non event.
Who cares what they think..
Exactly. It’s ridiculous.
Signing is fine, low wages and averages in a per year cost pretty low. But it should not stop us from getting Gyökeres and Eze/Rodrygo. Chelsea made huge profit on investment on Noni and Petrovic, which validates their model. And Noni will be the hill where Arteta’s fate is decided if we do not get anything this year again.
“Noni will be the hill where Arteta’s fate is decided”
That will only be the case for sure if we don’t sign a striker. If we sign a striker, as expected, that will determine everything. If the striker does well and we don’t win anything, arteta will likely be blamed for his tactics, but if he doesn’t do well, it might be blamed on arteta or it might be blamed on Berta, depending on who it is and the fans’ understanding on who favoured the decision. Either way, arteta might be seen to have run his course – imo that may have happened already, and it’s why we’re hearing noises about nwaneri and saliba, but I guess we’ll see.
But that’s the thing, the stronger signing is more important, and the club is trying to give themselves time to get it right, odds are they are keeping their eyes on certain players who may become available, so they to only do the deal early if it’s a market opportunity.
If not they will go slowly while watching other players situation. It’s not the money, it’s trying to get as close to the ideal centre forward as they can.
Rumor has it that Kroenke is just helping his fellow American EPL club owner to avoid FFP rules breach, because Arsenal have been signing too many Chelsea players since Kroenke bought the club
Once the Americans manage to outvote other club owners, they could change the system to get more profits from advertisement and other stuff. It’s just a conspiracy theory though
Arsenal might also sign an expensive homegrown winger because Saka, Martinelli or Nwaneri could leave this summer
Romano just said Arsenal have presented their new offer and project to Nwaneri
Squad depth is important, but not more important than first strenghtening our weakest positions in the team. Spending £50 million on a luxury Saka back up is only good business if we still can afford a LW and a striker. That’s what is causing the frustration. It has never been about Maduekes quality, he is a fine player. And it’s not his fault lol, don’t think anyone has said so. The petition was silly, but aimed at the club, not at the player.
I’m hoping we see something to suggest he can play LW as well – for him to move solely to be Saka’s backup, when he’s an England international himself, would suggest he’s got very little ambition and would be a very bad sign (unless he genuinely thinks he can oust saka – delusional given Saka’s an arsenal grad who’s generally seen as our best player, or second best at the very least). I don’t think that’s the case, but imo madueke needs to be able to compete strongly for the LW starting position, otherwise we’re definitely over paying for a player who probably won’t progress and would likely be sold in a couple of years for a loss.
Dude, we play about 65 games, 25 starts is still a lot… Why is everyone behaving like arsenal will play 38 games, end of…
Yes, but you understand elite mentality includes wanting to be the one who starts in the big games right? If a young player doesn’t care about that, it’s a bit of a concern imo.
Apparently he played on the LW in the last few PL games last season
So it appears to be an excellent buy for someone who can initially be a backup for both wings and is an England International already.
I doubt he is coming to Arsenal.to.sit on the bench and likely is there more to compete with Martinelli but also.give us so.ething different
Ridiculous that anyone is query8ng why we are getting him when he is exactly what the naysayers om this forum have been asking for eg a winger !
Has nothing to do with our bi’s for striker same as our acquisition of Kepa Zubamendi etc
I hope he can play LW well enough to be a realistic starter – that’s the only way it makes sense to me. He didn’t play much at LW previously, and apparently wasn’t as effective, but I think there’s a chance he can do it. We do need squad depth, but it wouldn’t make sense for a 23 year old England international to come to play in the smaller games and be content to sit on the bench every time a big game comes around. I would seriously question the motivation of the player if that was the case. If he can play left wing to the right level, it would give him a realistic opportunity to start in those big games, while also giving arteta flexibility to ensure he can give saka a rest throughout the season – I hope that’s the thinking.
The petition was disgraceful. Whether directed at the club or the player.
I also disagree with your view about squad depth. A lot of people have been running with this narrative. This demonstrates a clear lack of insight or understanding regarding the Arsenal team.
An additional player with Madueke’s profile is not a luxury. A lot of people have been concerned about Saka’s playing time and understandably so. The fact that Saka has had a significant injury means that his playing time will need to be managed carefully next season.
Saka is but one example. The number of key players who have had injuries means that overall squad depth is absolutely essential; arguably more important than getting a striker.
Mats
I agree with your take, and I think it’s the timing and negotiations that frustrated many fans.
1. Noni deal wrapped up very fast, 50 million too much for a backup in my opinion, especially when Arteta doesn’t rotate some players at all.
2. Need a striker, need that key position for 3 years now. Negotiations drag on, haggling over 70 + 10 and we want to pay 65 + 15, according to reports if true.
That’s the rub for me. Jumping into Noni deal no hesitation, but stalling over 5 million up front for Gyokeres.
Try Ctrl, alt, delete to reset Berta and Arteta. Give in already, a pissing contest over 5 million upfront when our window will top 200 million?
Josh please phone in and end this petty squabbling already.
He’ll come in and he’ll replace Trossard. Leo did well, but Noni will be more adept on both wings. He’ll also add more tactical variation, being more of a hug-the-line winger than an inside forward. Should be a good option if we’re struggling to break down the low block.
And 4,000 on a petition. An overly vocal minority.
Now, let’s get Sesko back on the radar.
Well his best position is not currently on the left. The club seems to see that as an area he can be trained for over time, maybe as the third option in the foreseeable. Seems clear that he’s being bought as coverage for Saka in the short term, which we’ve desperately needed for 2 or 3 whole seasons now. I would argue he is the best option, all things considered, currently on the market.
It seems the club is looking at Eze for the left wing coverage role (alongside being a rotation option for Ødegaard).
Better stats?
Whats the mins per goal and mins per assist for each player in EPL last year out of interest sake?
It is ironic that same people that say the Kroenkes don’t support us when we need certain positions covered, are the same people that seem to be ok with us spending a ton of cash on a position that’s already covered when there are more pressing needs.
Anyway I don’t think Madueke is a bad player at all, just seems a bit of a strange time to sign someone like that while penny pinching on positions we 100% need a 1st choice in (ironically the position that was complained about in Jan with “no support” from the owners)…i believe that is what fans are not thrilled about
I wish Madueke well at our club
Yes better stats
Playing is a stat
So why last season near the end was Nwaneri not even coming off the bench when we needed a goal ?
Lets be honest NOBODY has a cluehow he would perform for Arsenal. NOT A CLUE!
On Nwaneri, funny how some people are upset that Arsenal fans are wanting to see their youngster get a proper chance again next season. He’s been at Arsenal since he was 8 years old, he should be supported.
From Nwaneri perspective, looks like he made the correct decision with regards to taking his time overlooking the new contract and the potential of being left far down the pecking order with limited game time. Can you really complain about that when MA has a history of playing recently signed players over in form players to prove he made the right signing?
I’ve already addressed the fact that certain folks don’t appear to understand what wanting assurances mean and create a whole fictional spin off based on this
No such thing really imo
Further to a post the other day – unfortunately don’t remember the name – that Nwaneri is still an academy player. MLS is now part of the first team squad.
Fine that he is considering his position but he also has to show that he has the extra “grr” factor that Myles has demonstrated before anything else
Does odegaard need to demonstrate that as well? I think EN’s shown plenty of grr, it’s probably that arteta doesn’t like something about his positioning/pressing relative to odegaard. Or else he’s being protective of nwaneri.
I’m confused as to why you brought up Odegaard as he’s not an academy player. Just shy of a year ago I went to a pre season friendly when Nwaneri’s name was on everyone’s lips. . Both he and MLS appeared on the night but the buzz was around EN first and foremost. A few months later both got their opportunities to play but it’s Skelly who has gone to the next level. I agree that Arteta must have seen something in his positioning/pressing as you suggest and it’s possible that EN is being protected., but I don’t know what from. My point was meant to show that MLS hasn’t needed protecting, but has signed a new contract, and made the move into the main squad.
I’m certainly not anti Nwaneri and I’m not writing off Odegaard yet after his injury ridden season and mixed form on returning. That all depends on what happens next season
I brought up odegaard because I don’t think he demonstrates that mentality all the time to me, and yet he the starter. While I respect odegaard’s work rate, I see more grit in nwaneri than I do in him.
Well Davi, it’s all about opinions.
Dude nwaneri wanted assurance he would get chances in the middle, that’s why the break through didn’t come until madueke was being confirmed. He doesn’t want to be a winger, end of.
Arteta wanted him there, he won’t sign of that’s how he will be used. What can the club do? They gave in and made alternate arrangements.
Stop assuming every leader is an idiot. If the club is a cheap as you are making them out, then why would they spend when an option is there?
1. The good news: the world population is estimated at over 8 billion people and Arsenal fans 40 trillion! I think those on Coruscant, Corellia, Tatooine were also counted!
2. What is not clear: it seems that MA is not 100% convinced of the need for a No. 9. We have Havertz, G. Jesus is back, there, if necessary, Merino, Martinelli can also play, and then PSG, the team of the moment, doesn’t play with Dembele as a false No. 9? (Goncalo Ramos is on the transfer list!)
3. What we don’t know: Is Madueke unhappy at Chelsea because he doesn’t play because of the competition or doesn’t fit the style of play desired by Maresca? If he won’t be a starter at Arsenal, how will he behave?
In my opinion, it would be a plus compared to Martinelli.
4. All fans have the right to an opinion, to complain and to make themselves heard.
I think we’ll still get a No 9. Going into another season with Merino as a possible backup striker is just too ludicrous to be a possibility I’d hope. Unfortunately Jesus and his fitness makes him a wildcard and we are always in danger of only being able to rely on Havertz.
2. Arteta has been asking the club to buy a physical striker for years. Back in 2021/2022 we were heavily linked with Vlahovic. He was very keen on Sesko last year, and again this year, and has bought in on Gyokeres, despite initial reservations.
3. Pedro Neto is Maresca’s first choice right wing. Chelsea, who as we all know love to buy players left right and center, went and snagged young hotshot Estevao Willian, so suddenly they had 4 dedicated right wingers on the books. No-one is going to buy Sterling – who is a massive drag on their wage bill – so they needed to make room, and Madueke was their most sellable asset there. It’s a pretty logical situation really for both Chelsea and Arsenal. There have been some rumblings about Madueke amongst Chelsea fans but nothing that can’t be fixed.
Maresca obviously rates him – he even played him out of position at the end of the season with their left wing issues. By buying Gittens, they are hoping to have solved that for now.
OK. Wanting is one thing, doing is another. Example, Havertz = €75.00m. Funds were available.
What I mean is that it was half-heartedly shouted, or maybe I’m wrong…
I think it’s more about timing and the speed that is has happened with no apparent haggling on the price. The fact that he will be signed before Gyokeres who we seem to be nickel and diming over aggravates many. I think Madueke will be a good signing, but I hope we are still going to sign Gyokeres and Eze, that would be a good window.
I dont like the transfer but it’s happening so getting on board is the only logical move and I do feel bad that people are personally being rude to him and he’s getting such an unwelcoming reaction before he even signs. Quite obviously there’s a difference between discussing the transfer from a value/talent/squad perspective and personally going on a players social media, and signing a petition thats bound to achieve absolutely nothing. It’s not been a great summer for Arsenal’s “values”. The Madueke reactions, and all this Partey stuff has shown sides of the club that makes us look far from spectacular.
There is no partey issue for arsenal, he isn’t an arsenal player. If accusations is enough to get the club to take action, then what’s to stop any old busy body from targeting a rival club issuing sex, then making allegations. Come on man, the club did the right, no charges, no conviction, just pretend you haven’t heard anything and move on.
They have people who are paid to investigate and prosecute.
Yes there is a Partey issue because the concern was raised about his behavior since 2021. And the club offered him a new contract just a couple months ago despite knowing the tons of accusations and several times other ppl had complained about him. I’m not recommending they suspended him on accusations alone but you’re being willingly ignorant if you think they couldn’t have done anything. Especially offering an extension is inexcusable
Everyone in football besides Arsenal fans see this as a huge scandal from the club. So end of the day quite honestly wrong and it is/was a problem, and the club’s reputation has taken a big blow.
Yeah it’s awful. It’s understandable for fans to not be happy with a signing, that happens literally every year. Nørgaard’s signing got some stick too. But this melodramatic overreaction and the direct personal attacks through his social media are a *desgracio*, as Arteta might say.
He’s coming because we have been in need of a good right winger like him, he’ll get more minutes with us, and be able to show what he can do in time for the World Cup selections. I fail to see what crime he’s supposed to have committed.
“Fans” were outraged – OUTRAGED, I TELL YOU – that we were signing Jorginho, or Ramsdale, or Raya, or Havertz at the time. And it worked out fine. This is the type of signing we need and it will be fine, too.
What wrong has Madueke done to call for a petition by 4000 fans? I doubt that many of those who signed the petition have been following Madueke in any way. I believe Madueke is a victim of circumstances because most people expected a prolific striker and Aberechi Eze. Some people have argued that the money for Madueke should have been added onto the purchase of a striker. However, the method used is a very crude one! How can you show open hostility to someone you don’t know well? Besides, who said that after Madueke there would be no more signings? It is also a question of astuteness that signing a prolific striker without very good players around him may not achieve the desired results. So, my final word is that we should give the concerned people a chance to do their job uninterrupted and then we shall judge them accordingly.
Points often overlooked when being critical unfortunately
“…a prolific striker without very good players around him may not achieve the desired results”.
Agreed, but you also need chemistry, team spirit. See Mbappe + Messi and Neymar, next to them.
About Gyökeres: to observe how he handles small spaces (see the match with us in the UCL), how he evolves against teams that defend low. He seems more suitable in transitions, in away matches, it will also depend on how those around him will value him. Let’s hope that Ødegaard will not repeat the last rather modest season (we don’t have a backup for him yet). My conclusion: Gyökeres brings other options, but at 27 years old I liked Giroud better (more combinative + excellent heading).
Three players from other clubs that I really enjoy watching are!
Eze Gibbs white and Madueke!
So I am happy about the signing of this player as long as we get other quality attacking players including a top striker.
Shock. Horror. I concur with everything in this article 😲.
There has been players we’ve signed in the past that I didn’t agree with, but I never ever thought of a signing a petition to stop the signing.
Hopefully the real supporters get behind Madueke when he’s on the pitch and he turns in performances that make the plastic ‘fans’ look like the idiots that they are.
Herr Drier,
You say Shock. Horror. You concur with everything in this article.
Would you like me to get you a Doctor.😂🤣👍
Derek, I was going to add Nurse on my original post, but considering my health I thought better of it.
The Barbara Windsor variety or Hattie Jaques HD? 😂
SueP,
I could make so many jokes, but I’ll behave myself on this occasion.😂👍
Definitely Barbara Windsor SueP 😁
Herr Drier,
Go on treat yourself, don’t forget you’ll have a Doctor there to check your blood pressure. 🤣👍
Derek, my blood pressure is the least of my worries 👍
Four thousand Arsenal fans signing a petition may be a minority in comparison with the masses of so called fans who simply just follow along trusting the process and believing Arteta knows what he is doing, but this is still a significant number of people who really cares about the club and are concerned about the direction being taken by a manager who may or may not know what he is doing or where he is going. I for one am concerned and so should the sensible, common sense likes of Sue P.be. If Jon Fox, where still able to get a word in , he would be capitalizing, ” what the F is going on”.
Sorry, but anyone starting a petition on Change over a football club signing a player needs to seriously, seriously grow up. Nothing to do with genuine concern, everything to do with petulant self entitlement.
Joe. S.
I have been asked by Jon to tell you that he would NOT be questioning this proposed signing, as he sees it as a sensible and constructive (regarding squad building) move.
Furthermore, he would not use the F word, but would rely on his grasp of the English language to detail out what he believes are the positives.
There you go Jon and I fully agree with you.
Rather than petition against the club for the expected Madueke signing, can’t we have a petition to get JF reinstated?
Never a dull moment when he got his teeth into a topic. Didn’t always agree with him but he certainly made me laugh out loud at times
Can’t wait to sign that petition
I really miss Jon Fox
It’s not about the petition I mean I didn’t know about it till I read this post, but we all know this Chelsea dude is a hit and run player. Stirling without the skills he demonstrated in his early twenties. In other words a scam.
If everyone knew that Joe. S, why did the chavs buy him in the first place?
If he does sign for us, he’ll get a tremendous welcome from the supporters at the Emirates.
After what’s been written and said about him by a very small section of our fanbase and which he must know about, the very fact that he wants to leave chelsea and still come to The Arsenal, speaks volumes of his attutude and strength.
The chavs didn’t want him to leave for goodness sake, but he wants to play for our club and told them so.
As for the money side of the debate, I go back to the £320 war chest we reportedly have.
If we sign him for the reported £50 million, that brings our total spend so far to a reported £129 million, so plenty left for Gyokeres and Eze.
Decent acquisition to our squad he will prove the doubters wrong. A good competitor to accept this offer having being behind Saka in the national team. Young and energetic direct sort of player we need in our squad
No idea what the signing is all about TBH, nothing in his gameplay suggest he’ll be a top player in our team, but let’s see.
Considering we passed on the likes of Olise and Neto last summer got it a lot more complicated for me. They lost me on this one. Hopefully he comes good.
I love Arsenal too much to wish anyone associated with the team to fail, madueke inclusive!
On arteta’s part, I think turning us from a mid-table team to a top of the table team show he knows what he is doing, I understand fans frustration over lack of trophies, but I believe the trophies will come.
Arsenal isn’t even far away in terms of completeness, last season we had our best players out for large part of the season and still managed to finish 2nd, I really believe anyone added to this team will be a plus, I have players I’d personally want my team to sign, but the recruitment team has shown me over the years that they know what they are doing, let’s just get a proper striker and I think we are very ready for the new season 🙏
Hope you’re right Ken, B. But I haven’t seen Arteta improve any player in six years. It’s not the Arsenal Wegner makes average players good and good players great maxim. I’m really at my wits end, hoping Zubamendi as y save our season, but I don’t see any good coming from ty likes of Harvetz, Noorgard and the tribe of invertids at the back. At this stage I’m almost fearless enough to make a prediction that the title will be decided between City and Liverpool, Chelsea third and we will fight fourth out with Manure and the Spuds. Too early to call I know, but that’s my feeling about Arteta and where his footballing philosophy, or lack of is taking him.
Let Arteta build his squad, and judge him by the results at the end of the season.
Exactly Durand.
If Mr Kronkie is happy to keep bankrolling him and supporting him with the likes of Berta and a reported war chest, there can be no excuse if MA fails to deliver…. unless we have the same nightmarish situation regarding injuries.
Perhaps that’s why MA is bringing in players who aren’t the star names we expected, apart from Zubimendi?
They will come in my opinion.
I agree with you and Durand regarding now being able to fully judge MA now that the quality first team and for the most part quality squad depth is in place. I have to admit though that while I know it is said every summer, some of our competition has really seemed to have upped the anti in the transfer market.
Early last season, I warned that LP may be hard to stop if Slot instilled confidence in them early and got them on a roll. I felt like their players were very good and great in a few obvious cases but not really anything too special as a squad. The injury fortunes of City115, us, and LP reversed from the prior season and the rest was history. Their squad additions have me very concerned this season and I will be very happy when they lose their first game.
Let give Noni chance. His there any reasonable Chance he might be released?
Than you, Ken, for bringing us Jon Fox’s message. Some of us miss him and his lively presentations. As usual, your views are appreciated considering your very long association with Arsenal FC. I believe you might be the most senior fan among us. I recall that you and Jon used to hassle on who was more senior! Now you are unrivalled! That aside, your balanced submissions put you in a special category. How I wish your rivalry with Jon could be rekindled! That was the time of two gentlemen who disagreed without bitterness.
I get baffled when I see a tiny minority of fans purporting to decide which players the club should get and which ones should leave. In simple terms, this is meddling in matters that the fans have very little knowledge about. Any successful organisation should have specialised people to do certain jobs. Not every Tom, Dick and Harry can decide what the club does.
Thank you David.
I chat via email with Jon a fair bit and he’s fit and well.
We did have some lively debates and a few times they got out of hand!!
I also miss Phil (PAL) but I do meet up with him at the Emirates now and again.
It’s good to see Sue back with us again as well.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been with JA, but some great people have gone away, to be replaced by newer and just as good faces – something that Pat will have been proud off.
His set too”s with Jon were something to get one’s teeth into!!
Funnily enough, Jon did mention you in a recent email and was very complimentary to you.
Anyway, thanks for the compliments my friend and take care – I’m sure we’ll be discussing our revamped squad during the coming weeks.
Arsenal should sign Rodygo and forget about Madueke
Rodrygo is better suited for Arsenal because he can play any side in the forward line
Rodrygo is better suited for Arsenal because he can play any side in the forward line
Is Rodrygo not better than Madueke?
Well there’s still a bright side to this folks_ thank God it wasn’t Nicholas Jackson!