Former Gunners star criticises Arsenal fans' treatment of Noni Madueke

Noni Madueke´s move to Arsenal is yet to be completed - however, the deal is expected to be sealed within just a few days, as the winger passed his medical yesterday. In a recent chat with AceOdds.com, former Arsenal star Anders Limpar has criticised the hostile reception from a section of fans towards Madueke’s arrival.

Madueke arrived at Chelsea in January 2023, and the winger, who came from PSV, was an important figure under Maresca during the Italian’s first season as manager despite struggling with consistency.

Now, he is on his way to Arsenal, and quite a few fans have made it clear that they aren’t happy about the move.

We caught up with Anders Limpar, who played for Arsenal in the early 90s, and he expressed his disappointment with the antics seen from fans in recent weeks.

“It’s sad when fans are making a player’s life difficult”

"It's never fun when a club signs a player and the fans are not happy with it. I think Noni Madueke is a good player. I think he can fit in Arsenal's system. It's just unfortunate to hear that some fans are against him and making his life difficult in a way."

"I don't know the background about all the fuss from the fans. It can't just be that he's from Chelsea and going to Arsenal. I'm pretty sure of that. "It's sad when fans are making a player's life difficult."

Limpar also drew a parallel between the lack of support shown to Kai Havertz during his initial arrival at the Emirates.

"Arsenal fans weren't good to Havertz when he wasn't at his best for the first couple of months and now they adore him. I always think you have to give the players a chance and play in front of the fans and see how good he can be."

"I always think that fans have to be a little more patient when a player arrives and see how it goes."

Madueke has to be patient

Limapar is calling the price tag ridiculous, but points out that it is the new normal in modern football to spend big, especially in the summer. On the flip side, he also makes it clear that the top clubs need a sizeable squad to be able to compete.

"If you look at the big clubs: Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and so on. They want a mega-squad. They want a squad where they can put on 22 players and everybody can play. That's modern football."

"To hear about £50 million here, £60 million there, £70 million here, for some players who can't even play, in my opinion. It's ridiculous money. But that's the way it is, in 2025."

When it comes to Madueke, he believes that the winger’s biggest challenge might be a lack of patience, as he is used to playing almost every match and now would most likely be a backup for Bukayo Saka.

Although with Madueke priced at 6/5 to make England's 2026 World Cup squad and Saka being listed at 1/8, you can use our accumulator calculator to see that the Gunners have some great options on their hands.

"You always have to have backup for your big stars. It is up to Madueke if he can handle the pressure. He's used to playing and he has to compete for a starting spot with Saka, who is one of the best players in the world. That's not easy. Madueke has to be patient and take the chances he gets."

"Playing on the left side, we have Martinelli there, we have Trossard there, even Reiss Nelson. It's hard for a player to come to a big club with big stars but when pre-season starts, you have to prove yourself to be a starter. It's always been like that. It's not set that he'll be on the bench. He can work his way up to becoming a starter."

Madueke played 92 games for Chelsea, contributing 20 goals and 9 assists, primarily playing on the right wing.

Read more as a former Manchester United star floats the idea of bringing David de Gea back to the club