After not being used by coach Enzo Maresca in Chelsea's first 5 matches at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Noni Madueke left the training camp in the US right before the final match to complete the procedures to join Arsenal.
Madueke has become the sixth player to be signed by manager Mikel Arteta from Chelsea since the Spaniard led Arsenal at the end of 2019. Previously, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also joined Arsenal from The Blues earlier this month.
Among the five players who moved from Chelsea to Arsenal under Arteta, perhaps only Kai Havertz is considered a success. Other signings such as Willian, Jorginho and Raheem Sterling have all been disappointing.
Therefore, Madueke's preparation to move to the Emirates has been met with opposition from a part of Arsenal fans. A petition called #NOTOMADUEKE has been launched, but by the time the transfer was confirmed, the campaign had yet to surpass the 5,000-signing mark.
The 23-year-old winger has signed a 5-year contract with Arsenal. The deal has a total value of £48.5 million, plus £3.5 million in add-ons.
According to Saul Isaksson- Hurst - a personal coach who has worked with Madueke since he was a teenager when he first joined PSV - the noise surrounding the Arsenal transfer deal is unlikely to affect this player.
"Noni is very determined.He knows his potential.anyone interested in football, especially the development of young players, understands his talent.
Noni is one of the best young wingers in Europe.He is still very young and has almost unlimited potential.I don't think the criticism will worry him.That is an inevitable part of professional sports," said Isaksson- hurst.
Madueke's loss of position at Chelsea surprised many teammates, especially after he debuted for the England team last year. Despite scoring an impressive hat-trick against Wolves last August, the 23-year-old has only scored four more goals in his 26 Premier League starts since then.
The arrival of a series of new players such as Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Estevao and Joao Pedro has further limited Madueke's playing opportunities under Maresca.
In that context, joining Arsenal was a strategic choice. Arteta expects Madueke to be a quality backup option for Bukayo Saka on the right wing.
Madueke has rejected an attractive offer from Manchester United at the age of 16, despite his strong impressions at many levels of the England team. Instead of continuing the familiar path in the foggy country, Madueke made a bold decision.
The player left England to move to the Netherlands for PSV in June 2018 - just one year after Jadon Sancho left Manchester City to join Dortmund.
Isaksson- Hurst emphasized that all decisions in Madueke's career are based on personal development and a progressive spirit.
"He always prioritizes what is best for his career. He was not afraid to step out of his comfort zone to challenge himself. And I believe that, no matter where he goes, success will come."
