Why are Arsenal fans not happy about Noni Madueke deal from Chelsea?

Add as a preferred source on Google

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's manager, has acknowledged Noni Madueke's impending transfer to Arsenal, emphasizing that Chelsea had little choice in the matter because "Noni decided to leave."

Madueke was permitted to leave Chelsea's Club World Cup camp in the United States to return to the UK for a medical ahead of his £52 million move to Arsenal, a direct London rival.

Maresca confirmed that Madueke is in contact with Arsenal and is expected to complete the move imminently. He stressed that the club did not force Madueke out; rather, the player himself chose to depart, and if Madueke is happy with the decision, Chelsea is content as well.

"Yeah, Noni is in contact with the new club. I guess that he's going to leave in the next hours. I said in one of the last press conferences, in the end if players want to leave, it's difficult for the club and for the manager. Noni decided to leave," Maresca said at a Club World Cup press conference on Friday.

Madueke was a key player for Chelsea last season, making 46 appearances and contributing 11 goals and five assists across all competitions. Despite this, Chelsea was open to selling him for a fee exceeding £50 million, partly due to financial pressures following UEFA fines. But his departure comes at the cusp of the Club World Cup final as the Blues take on PSG on Sunday.

Why are the Arsenal supporters not happy with Noni Madueke deal?

The move has sparked a mixed reaction among Arsenal fans. Many have expressed skepticism and frustration about Arsenal signing from Chelsea again, with some fans opposing the deal outright. A Sky Sports poll showed that around 70% of 35,000 respondents viewed Madueke as a poor signing, and a petition against the transfer circulated online.

Critics point to previous Arsenal signings from Chelsea who did not meet expectations and question whether Madueke justifies a £52 million fee, especially given his position overlaps with Bukayo Saka's.

The Gunners fans are not happy because of Arsenal's long history of under-par signings from their London neighbours. Raheem Sterling was the one last season on loan as the Englishman endured a difficult season at the Emirates, scoring just 1 goal across the season. Also, the signings like Willian, David Luiz have also been moderate for the Gunners in the past.

Kai Havertz has been a success story as he crossed the London bridge from West to North, while Arsenal have already signed Kepa Arrizabalaga this season, another former Chelsea player.

However, others highlight Madueke's strong attacking statistics, such as his high number of successful dribbles and shot-ending carries, which suggest he could be a valuable asset for Arsenal, potentially easing the workload on Saka and providing tactical flexibility on the wings.