Arsenal are on the verge of completing a £52 million move for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, but the potential signing has sparked significant backlash among sections of the club’s supporters.
The 23-year-old England international has emerged as a surprise target for Mikel Arteta as the Gunners look to strengthen their attacking depth ahead of the new season. Arsenal have reportedly agreed personal terms with Madueke and held talks with individuals familiar with his development to assess his suitability at the Emirates.
Despite growing optimism within the club, not all fans are on board. A Change.org petition titled #NOTOMADUEKE gained over 4,000 signatures within hours of going live on Wednesday, with fans expressing concern over the club’s transfer strategy.
“Arsenal fans deserve better,” wrote petition organiser Blaze Fifty. “We are so close to success and instead of capitalising on the squad we have, it seems we are moving two steps back. We can surely do better than Madueke and [Viktor] Gyokeres — show some ambition.”
The petition has fuelled debate across social media. Some Arsenal fans condemned the protest, calling it “embarrassing” and unrepresentative of the wider fanbase. “Absolutely disgraceful behaviour, we really are the worst fan base in the world,” one supporter wrote on X. Another noted, “Sometimes it’s really embarrassing following Arsenal when the tiny minority behave like this.”
Supporters of rival clubs have also weighed in, questioning the logic behind the uproar. “This is the same team that have been crying for a backup for Bukayo [Saka], and then suddenly Madueke is not what you want?” one user commented. “Which top player will want to come and be a backup to Bukayo?”
Madueke, currently with Chelsea in the United States for the Club World Cup, is expected to feature in Sunday’s final against Paris Saint-Germain. He has come off the bench in Chelsea’s last two games, and Blues boss Enzo Maresca declined to confirm whether the winger would remain at the club beyond the summer.
“I don’t have any doubts that if we need Noni, he will help us,” Maresca said. “I can understand when there is noise around you, it is difficult to deal with that.”
As Arsenal and Chelsea finalise the deal, the debate among fans continues — but it appears the Gunners hierarchy are pressing forward with their plans regardless of the dissent.
