Noni Madueke says he’s been blown away by the reception he’s received from Arsenal fans at the Emirates, insisting he was never bothered by the noise that surrounded his move from Chelsea, most of it coming from a loud but ultimately fringe corner of the fanbase.
The England international went from surprise target to Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer in double-quick time, and the early backlash, largely online, focused on whether the £52 million fee (including add-ons) represented value, especially given he prefers to operate in Bukayo Saka’s territory on the right.
But with Saka picking up an early-season injury and Madueke proving not only a more than capable deputy but also versatile enough to switch flanks, those dissenting voices faded quickly, long before his own knee injury paused his progress.
Back in action for Sunday’s North London derby, the 23-year-old followed up his return with another appearance off the bench against Bayern – marking the occasion with his first Arsenal goal.
“To be honest, I just kind of take that stuff in my stride,” Madueke told the Evening Standard when asked about the criticism aimed at him.
“It is normal, you are in the public eye, people can say whatever they want about you.
“But being in the stadium, and how the fans have taken to me in the stadium, is unbelievable. I am not really worried about all of that [what happened in the summer]. It is in the distant past.
“Like the last game versus Tottenham, it was incredible and that gives me such a boost.
“I play on the side of the pitch, I can feel them (the fans), I can hear them. When they are that positive about me, it gives me a massive boost. Honestly, I am made up about it.”
Speaking to the club’s official website last night, it was clear Madueke was buzzing after opening his account. “I can’t really say much more man, just amazing,” he reflected, while Mikel Arteta, who went out on a limb to bring him across London, was just as happy.
“I’m very happy,” said the manager. “He’s worked incredibly hard to come back. I think he was in a great moment before he got the injuries. He’s one of the players who was performing at the highest level and now we’ve got him back.
“He played on the left, he played on the right. He gave us something as a different edge in that front line. I’m very pleased to see him and hopefully many more to come.”
With a reunion against his former club looming on Sunday, the confidence boost couldn’t be better timed.
“For me, it is another game, honestly. The fixture is not about me,” Madueke said.
“The fixture is about Arsenal getting another three points in the league and being closer to our objective. That is honestly how I think about it.
“It might be a little bit hostile, it might not be, but I am a professional footballer. I have played in loads of atmospheres. I don’t know if anything will faze me. I will just be focused on the task.”