ARSENAL have confirmed the shock signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea.
Over 5,000 fans signed a petition against the deal when the Gunners’ interest was first reported earlier this month.
But Arsenal have now completed a deal for the 23-year-old in a transfer worth £48million, with an additional £4million in add-ons..
Madueke, who scored 20 goals in 92 games at Chelsea, has penned a contract with the Gunners until 2030.
He had been playing for the Blues at the Club World Cup but sacrificed the chance to lift the trophy by missing the final win over PSG to seal his Emirates switch.
As a result, Madueke will not join Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia and will make his debut in next month’s Emirates Cup after a holiday.
Explaining why he decided to join Arsenal, Madueke said: “I’m somebody who goes with my gut feeling a lot of the time and I feel like 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’ve just been relaxed, waiting for the green light and when I came in today, it all felt real. I’m really happy and really proud, so it’s a great moment for me. It’s great to go back home, be with my mum, my dad. I know my mum misses me in the house!
“It’s already a great team with a clear identity and I can’t wait to bring my style to the team and try and help the boys as much as possible to take that next step.
“To win all the competitions we’re in, I feel like we’re definitely capable of doing that. And also to help the team in every way I can and grow as a player, but also as a person.”
On where he will play, Madueke continued: “I feel like everyone here, all the players here in the team are established Premier League players in their own right and I’d like to say I am as well.
“I try and be a dual threat from the left and from the right. Of course, it’s a little different when I play on the left or when I play on the right, but it doesn’t really matter to me where I play.
“I only really have one thought in my mind when I get the ball to feet or in space, it is just to line up the full-back and go past him, so that’s definitely one of my main strengths.”
On his connection to several of Arsenal’s English players, Madueke added: “I’ve spoken to Dec, Myles, Bukayo, even Jurrien as well and they all say amazing things about the club and the culture here, how warm it is and how much of a family it is. I’m really happy to be a part of the Arsenal family now.
“I’m very happy, 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.”
An hour before his transfer was confirmed by Arsenal, Madueke posted an emotional farewell to Chelsea.
He said on Instagram: “Dear Chelsea Football Club, I want to thank you for the Last 3 or so years.
“To every staff member that helped me along this journey, thank you. To my teammates thank you for everything, I leave with only love and admiration for you guys.
“We achieved so much this season and I honestly wish you guys nothing but the best. To Enzo Maresca, it was a privilege to play under you, thank you for trying to better me as a player and as a person.
“Lastly thank you to every single Chelsea fan. Thank you for the love, the praise and also the criticism, I appreciate it all. I leave here with nothing but fond memories. Love NM11.”
The England international is the club’s fourth signing of the window, following Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to the Emirates for a combined £70.8m.
Madueke gives Arsenal explosive pace on both sides of the pitch, with his versatility being one of Mikel Arteta’s key attractions to striking a deal.
Yet the winger is set to be just one of three signings the North London club will complete in the coming days.
Sporting Lisbon ace Viktor Gyokeres has agreed on a transfer worth an initial £54.5m.
Meanwhile, Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera for £13m will take their spending for the summer close to £200m.
Signing this many players at this stage of the summer transfer window has not happened since the present system of windows was introduced in 2002.
But it may not stop there, with Arteta still looking at signing a left winger.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo are both high on his list.
While Arsenal retain interest in versatile Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
However, SunSport understands they now face competition from Bayern Munich for the winger.
The Gunners will also look to sell some current players after stars like Jorginho, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu departed on free transfers.
Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard, Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Karl Hein are all available for exits.
And should they all be sold, it would free up a pretty penny for Arsenal’s stretched transfer kitty.
It was also reported earlier today that wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri had signed a new deal with the club that will see him earn a bumper pay rise.
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