Arsenal's Rice Slams Fan Reaction to Madueke Signing

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has publicly defended new signing Noni Madueke, expressing disappointment at the negative fan reaction to the winger's £48.5m move from Chelsea. The transfer sparked significant backlash on social media, including the trending hashtag #NoToMadueke and a petition garnering over 5,000 signatures.

Rice's Strong Support for Madueke

Speaking after Arsenal's 1-0 pre-season victory against AC Milan in Singapore, Rice emphasized Madueke's potential: "I know how driven he is. He wants to prove everyone wrong and show his true capabilities. His hunger to play for Arsenal is exactly what we need."

The England international revealed:

• Internal discussions among players and staff are overwhelmingly positive about Madueke
• The winger is expected to "shock many people" with his performances
• Rice personally welcomed Madueke with a letter, which the new signing deeply appreciated

Madueke's Potential Impact

The 23-year-old brings valuable Premier League experience, having scored 20 goals in 92 appearances for Chelsea. His arrival addresses key squad needs:

• Provides competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli
• Adds much-needed depth to Arsenal's attacking options
• Offers the ability to break down defensive teams - a persistent challenge last season

Rice praised Madueke's attacking mentality: "When your first thought is beating defenders, that's an incredible trait. Combined with our existing wingers, this significantly strengthens our squad."

Rice's Personal Ambitions

The midfielder also discussed his evolving role and personal targets:

• Confirmed his permanent transition to a box-to-box number eight position
• Aims to improve on last season's 9 goals and 10 assists
• Admitted struggling mentally after Euro 2020 affected his early-season form

"I'm setting higher demands this year," Rice stated. "The best players consistently deliver across entire seasons, not just in spells. That's my focus now."

Arsenal's Transfer Activity

The Gunners have been busy in the market with:

• Completed deals for Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga
• Expected imminent arrivals of Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres

These signings, particularly in midfield, will allow Rice to maintain his advanced role while providing squad rotation options across competitions.