Rarely has a transfer sparked as much backlash as Noni Madueke’s impending move from Chelsea to Arsenal.
The Gunners have agreed to pay their London rivals £52m (£48m up front plus £4m in add-ons) for the winger as part of an ambitious summer recruitment drive, which is set to surpass the £200m mark.
Madueke is young at 23, a senior England international and has won trophies with Chelsea, PSV Eindhoven and England’s U21s.
So what has prompted the negativity from some Arsenal supporters?
#NoToMadueke
Madueke won the Conference League with Chelsea in May (Photo: Getty)
There has been much written on social media, but one fan took things a step further by starting a petition to try and stop the deal from happening.
The #NoToMadueke petition was launched on Change.org last week and has received over 5,000 signatures at the time of writing.
“Arsenal fans deserve better, we are so close to success and instead of capitalising on the squad we have, it seems we are moving two steps back just like the three previous transfer windows,” it reads.
“We can surely do better than Madueke and Gyokeres.
“Show some ambition, repay the fans the same way we’ve backed the club for the past 2 decades.”
When approached by The i Paper for comment, the petitioner Blaze replied: “I meant no harm to Noni Madueke. Noni has since signed for the club, so we will support him as he wears our badge.”
Why are Arsenal fans unhappy?
There are a few reasons behind the discontent.
One argument is that Madueke is deemed too expensive, and that the funds tied up in his transfer would be better used elsewhere. Football fans can get strangely protective over money that isn’t theirs.
It is an argument not without merit. Madueke is a left-footed, 23-year-old England international who is at his most effective when cutting in off the right wing. Arsenal already have one of those in Bukayo Saka, who is one of the club’s best players.
A related concern is that Madueke’s arrival could restrict the prodigious Ethan Nwaneri’s first-team minutes.
Spurious swap deal rumours have at least ceased with the news that the 18-year-old is set to sign a long-term contract and is being nurtured as a No 10, rather than another left-footed, right winger.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC at Emirates Stadium on February 02, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Nwaneri is one of Arsenal’s brightest young talents (Photo: Getty)
Finally, there is resistance over Arsenal doing business with Chelsea, rivals in location and competition. Again. This is the most logical grievance.
Madueke will become the seventh player to move to the Emirates from Stamford Bridge since 2019, and the track record of his predecessors has been mixed, to say the least.
The Blues have sailed close to the profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) wind recently, and Arsenal’s eagerness to do business could be seen as indirectly aiding a rival.
Madueke will take Arsenal’s expenditure on Chelsea players to around £124m since the BlueCo era in west London began in 2022.
Reaction ‘a disgrace’
The negative reaction to Madueke from Arsenal fans has prompted another negative reaction, this time towards Arsenal fans.
Rio Ferdinand is especially displeased, saying that Madueke has been “vilified, bullied, embarrassed and totally stripped down”. He added that a section of Arsenal’s fanbase are an “utter disgrace” for how Madueke has been treated.
“I have never seen anything like this before, and I hope I don’t ever again,” he wrote on social media.
“Like I said earlier, just imagine this was your best friend, one of your family members, your brother, son…then tell me how would you feel if they were on the receiving end of this vulgar behaviour???”
Noni Madueke
For a Young 23 year old English footballer to be vilified, bullied, embarrassed and totally strip down at a time when you’re meant to be celebrating a transfer worth £55 million. Yes a young kid with a dream about to secure a £55 million dream move to a club of his… pic.twitter.com/rVZIn83Jr8
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) July 12, 2025
Meanwhile, ex-Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson said he was “flabbergasted” by the proposed transfer.
“I’m shocked. If Arsenal went and bought any player from Chelsea, he’d have been the last one I thought they’d sign,” he said.
“Chelsea just won’t believe that this deal has come to them.”
Are all Arsenal fans disappointed?
“I guarantee he’ll be welcomed, and as soon as he puts on the shirt, and if he starts well, there’s not even a debate about it,” Akhil Vyas, from Arsenal’s Supporters’ Trust, told The i Paper.
“The same happened with Aaron Ramsdale. When he was linked to Arsenal, people were wondering what we were doing signing a goalkeeper who’d just been relegated. But as soon as he came into the team and played well, everyone loved him.”
“I think it’s just a massive coincidence. Jorginho was available, and Arsenal wanted some cover in midfield. Kai Havertz was a bit of an opportunity signing as Chelsea had to sell for PSR reasons.
“There is an argument about giving money to your rivals, and I get that, but I don’t think we’re just signing Chelsea players just because they are easy to negotiate with.”
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How could Madueke fit in?
Madueke is set to join, whether Arsenal fans want him to or not, but how will he fit in under Arteta?
As mentioned, Saka is the undisputed first-choice on the right wing, but after suffering the first major injury of his career last season, Arteta may be inclined to rest and rotate him more frequently with Madueke providing a similar stylistic option.
Alternatively, Madueke may even start on the left. He featured more prominently on his natural side towards the end of his Chelsea spell, even playing there in the Conference League final win over Real Betis.