Declan Rice has come to the defense of Arsenal's new signing, Noni Madueke. Some Arsenal fans were unhappy with the arrival of the former PSV player, and an online petition to block the transfer was signed over five thousand times. However, Rice believes Madueke is going to blow them away.
This summer, Arsenal made headlines with their bold €60 million move for Noni Madueke, a transfer that immediately sparked controversy among sections of the fanbase.
Many supporters questioned the club's logic, frustrated by what they perceive as a worrying pattern of signing former Chelsea players who fail to live up to expectations once they cross over to North London. The deal for Kai Havertz the previous summer still divides opinion, and memories of Willian’s disappointing stint remain fresh. Madueke’s Chelsea connection, combined with the fact that he began his youth career at bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, only intensified the scrutiny.
What further fueled the skepticism was the significant price tag attached to Madueke, especially in a summer when Arsenal were already looking to make targeted, strategic investments to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title. Despite the winger’s undoubted potential and glimpses of brilliance at PSV and Chelsea, many questioned whether Arsenal had overpaid for a player still developing consistency and fitness.
The backlash reached a point where an online petition was launched by fans opposing the transfer. In just a matter of days, it was signed by more than five thousand people an unusually hostile response for a player who hasn’t even kicked a ball for his new club yet. But within the Arsenal camp, the mood is markedly different. Midfield leader Declan Rice, now an established voice in the dressing room, has thrown his full support behind Madueke, defending the signing with unwavering confidence.
“There’s been a lot of talk about him,” Rice told The Athletic following Arsenal’s pre-season victory over AC Milan. “I didn’t like reading some of it, to be honest. I know how driven he is. I’ve spoken with him, and you’ll see what he has in store for us this season. I’ve played with him before, and I know exactly what qualities he brings. He’s already proven himself and he’ll do it here as well.”
Rice pointed to Madueke’s time in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven, where the winger emerged as one of the Eredivisie’s most exciting talents. Quick, skillful, and fearless in one-on-one situations, Madueke built a reputation as a game-changer a player who could unbalance defenses with explosive pace and creativity. Though his time at Chelsea was hampered by managerial instability and injuries, Rice is convinced that Arsenal is the right environment for him to thrive.
“He’s incredibly hungry,” Rice continued. “He’s desperate to play for Arsenal, and those are exactly the kind of players we want here. Everything so far has been very positive. I think he’s going to blow a lot of people away. I can’t wait to play alongside him.”
Rice also gave insight into Madueke’s personality something that often goes unnoticed when a player is under public scrutiny. “When I first met him with the national team, I was blown away by his personality and character. I don’t think many people expect that from him, but he lights up the whole dressing room. He cares about football, he has high standards, and that really impressed me.”
According to club sources, Madueke has already made a strong impression in training, showing sharpness and determination to integrate quickly into Mikel Arteta’s system. The manager himself is said to have pushed for the deal, believing that Madueke offers a different dimension to Arsenal’s attack a powerful, direct wide player capable of beating his marker and creating something out of nothing.
For Madueke, this is more than just another transfer it’s a pivotal moment in his career. Still only 22, he has already played in three of Europe’s top leagues and represented England at multiple youth levels. At Arsenal, he now has the chance to finally settle and prove himself at the highest level, surrounded by a young, ambitious squad aiming to win trophies.
The expectations will be high, the spotlight unforgiving, but with Rice backing him so strongly and Arteta offering him a clearly defined role, the conditions are there for Madueke to silence the doubters. Arsenal fans, once skeptical, may soon find themselves chanting his name especially if he delivers the kind of performances Rice has promised.
