With less than two weeks to go until the new Premier League season gets underway, Noni Madueke is preparing to feature for a new side following his departure from Chelsea.
Madueke decided to join Arsenal after a deal worth around £50m was agreed for him, as the Blues look to go in another direction with their attacking options.
Chelsea were content with the fee they received for Madueke, making a substantial profit on a player who had failed to nail down a starting spot in his two and a half seasons at the club.
After his participation in the Club World Cup with Chelsea, the Englishman joined up with his new teammates late during their pre-season campaign, but was named in the side for their fixture against Villarreal.
Arsenal v Villarreal - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
Arsenal fans drop Noni Madueke verdict
The Gunners were defeated 3-2 at the Emirates, while they also lost the penalty shootout which followed the game. Madueke missed what turned out to be the decisive spot kick.
Despite only making a brief cameo on his debut, Arsenal fans have taken to social media to share their discontent at what they have seen so far.
One user said: “Artetas downfall will be glorious. This is his last season with majority fan support at Arsenal. Madueke as the first choice LW is a hilariously bad decision that he didn’t need to make, nobody wanted this. Madueke with the attacking threat of Tierney from the left.”
Artetas downfall will be glorious
This is his last season with majority fan support at arsenal
Madueke as the first choice LW is a hilariously bad decision that he didn’t need to make, nobody wanted this
Madueke with the attacking threat of Tierney from the left #afc
— ⚽️ (@EvadingPressure) August 7, 2025
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Another added: “That was quick. The Arsenal scouting team is so bad. Kudus was on the market and you signed Madueke who is not even better than me in finishing and decision making. He will not make any impact in this setup. They could have even added £30m to his transfer fee and secured Rodrygo. Arsenal needs to hire me as their Sporting director.”
A third claimed: “I won’t be gaslit by some arsenal fans btw. Madueke was bang average when he came on and will be just average for us.”
Another stated: “We need a left winger the Madueke experiment won’t work.”
Mikel Arteta’s plan for Noni Madueke
Not everyone has been convinced by Arsenal’s move for the winger. Paul Merson said he was ‘flabbergasted’ they had signed Madueke from Chelsea at all.
There is clearly a plan for Mikel Arteta, who will have already known he had Bukayo Saka as an option in the England international’s best role of right winger.
It has been reported that Arteta thinks he can develop Madueke into a left-winger, a position he only played sparingly during his time at Stamford Bridge.
After getting more out of Kai Havertz but coming up short with Raheem Sterling, it remains to be seen which way this experiment goes for the Spaniard.