Arsenal Fans Launch Petition as Club Close In on Shock Move for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke

Arsenal are reportedly nearing a surprise deal to sign Chelsea winger Noni Madueke — but not everyone in North London is thrilled about the move.

According to The Athletic and several other outlets, the Gunners are close to agreeing terms with Chelsea over the 22-year-old England international. But the news has sparked a huge wave of frustration from Arsenal fans, many of whom have questioned both the need for a new winger and Madueke’s form at Stamford Bridge.

The reaction has been so intense that a group of fans have launched a “No to Madueke” petition online, with more than 4,000 signatures already collected. That number is climbing quickly as fans continue to voice their opposition to the transfer on social media.

Football journalist Sam Dean summed up the situation by saying he’s “never seen anything quite like it,” referring to the scale and speed of the negative response.

Part of the outrage from supporters is down to Arsenal’s current squad. With Bukayo Saka already a guaranteed starter on the right, fans believe the team should be focusing on strengthening other areas — especially midfield or up front — rather than spending big on another attacker.

There’s also concern over Madueke’s performances since joining Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023. While he’s shown flashes of brilliance, many feel he’s been inconsistent and hasn’t done enough to justify a hefty price tag.

Still, it’s worth noting that Madueke is only 22 and has shown glimpses of real potential. He scored five goals and assisted twice in 28 games across all competitions last season. Given time and proper coaching, he could develop into a solid option for Arsenal’s forward line — particularly as a backup for Saka, who carried a heavy workload in 2023/24.

Interestingly, the mood isn’t entirely upbeat among Chelsea supporters either. Some Blues fans are disappointed to see Madueke go, especially after watching him struggle through growing pains over the last two seasons.

Will Faulks, editor of Chelsea News, told CaughtOffside: “It’s easy to understand why Arsenal fans aren’t too keen on signing Noni Madueke – for all his talent he can be very frustrating. But the Gunners should give him a chance.”

He continued, “There are plenty of Chelsea fans who feel like they’ve spent two and a half years watching him develop, only for the club to sell him just when he might be ready to take off. It’ll be interesting to see who ends up happier with this deal in a couple of years.”

While the backlash may seem intense now, the move could still work out in Arsenal’s favour. Madueke has pace, skill, and attacking instincts — qualities that could flourish under Mikel Arteta’s structured system. Arsenal also suffered from a lack of attacking depth last season, with Saka often overplayed due to a lack of competition in his position.

If Madueke can stay fit and find consistency, he could prove to be a smart addition in the long run. But for now, many Arsenal fans are not convinced.

With the deal edging closer, it seems Arsenal are betting on potential — and only time will tell if it’s a gamble worth taking.