NEVER has an Arsenal signing divided the fanbase quite so passionately.
But for all the uproar, former Tottenham academy kid Noni Madueke views this move as a beautiful homecoming – quite literally – and one he intends to use to prove the thousands of doubters wrong.
The Gunners view this deal — £48million up front with £4m in add-ons on a five-year deal — as a no-brainer.
Boss Mikel Arteta has long admired Madueke, 23, for his versatility off both wings, the dynamic dribbling style, the speed and bravery on the ball.
There are still some people to convince. Over 5,000 fans signed the petition #NoToMadueke when talks between Arsenal and Chelsea became more advanced.
Not that it will dampen his excitement to be back where it all began in North London: born in Barnet, schooled in St Albans and at Spurs from 12 to 17.
Madueke said: “It’s great to go back home, be with my mum, my dad. I know mum misses me in the house! I’m really proud.”
Many see it as a gamble and make-or-break moment — but Madueke is no stranger to that.
It was bold to leave Spurs for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven as a teenager in June 2018 — rejecting Manchester United to test himself abroad and moving to the small town of Wintelre with his mother.
And it is a calculated risk to join a title-chasing side that will prove tough to break in to under Arteta — a young coach under immense pressure to deliver amid a five-year trophy drought.
But Madueke said: “I’m somebody who goes with my gut a lot and it’s steered me in the right direction so far.
“So I don’t think it’s going to be any different here.
“I think it’s going to be a great success and I’m really happy to be here.
“I can’t wait to bring my style and help the boys to take that next step.
“I want to win all the competitions we are in — we’re capable of doing that — and grow not only as a player but as a person.”
Supporters may still be lukewarm over his arrival but Madueke has already felt the love from the Gunners’ squad.
Declan Rice sent his Three Lions pal a personalised letter to read upon signing.
The winger continued: “They all say amazing things about the club, how warm it is and how much of a family it is.”
Despite his age, Madueke’s experience for club and country stood out for Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta.
After all, he already boasts 172 senior appearances for both PSV and Chelsea.
His injury record was also a factor — playing 2,049 Prem minutes last term.
He leads the top-flight stats charts in progressive carries and dribbles ending in shots on goal, too.
It is why Arteta feels Madueke is “one of the most talented wide forwards in the Premier League”.
Crucially, the left-footer will also offer depth and competition for the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
And the Gunners new boy said: “I try to be a dual threat from the left and right.
“I only have one thought in my mind when I get the ball — to line up the full-back and then go past him.”
Fans’ anger stems from the regularity at which the club have filled the pockets of Chelsea for their players over the years.
Madueke is the seventh Blues star to arrive in six years, with last summer’s failed loan of Raheem Sterling a particular sore point.
It is perhaps helpful that Madueke will not be thrown in straight away, having been given a few weeks’ rest after his Club World Cup efforts before joining up for training next month.
And he added: “I’m very excited to get to work. I’ll go on holiday for a little bit now but I can’t wait to get back and meet all the boys and train.
“I was saying it to all my friends walking around here, ‘You don’t even want to take the rest’.
“I know I have to for my body and stuff to heal but when I come back, I’ll be raring to go.”
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