Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has come to the defence of new signing Noni Madueke, urging fans to give the former Chelsea winger a chance and predicting he will “shock a lot of people” with his performances this season.
Madueke’s £48.5 million move to the Emirates last week sparked backlash on social media, with the hashtag #NoToMadueke trending and over 5,000 people signing a petition opposing the transfer.
But Rice, speaking after Arsenal’s 1-0 pre-season win over AC Milan in Singapore, made it clear he supports the club’s decision and backs the 23-year-old to thrive.
“I know how driven he is,” Rice said. “I’ve spoken to him and you’re going to see what he’s about this season. He wants to prove and show everyone what he really can do.
“He’s hungry, he wants to play for Arsenal and that’s the type of players we want. It’s so positive.
“He’s going to shock a lot of people and I can’t wait for him to come.
“People have been speaking internally – the players, the staff. We know the player that we’re getting and we’re really looking forward to having him at our club. It’s going to be really exciting.”
As part of the club’s efforts to welcome Madueke, Rice penned a letter to the new signing – a gesture captured in Arsenal’s official announcement video.
The midfielder said the initiative came from the club, adding that it was a meaningful way to make Madueke feel at home.
“It was a nice little touch for him to join the club and feel welcome,” Rice said. “He messaged me about it, saying that he really, really appreciates it.”
Madueke arrives to bolster Arsenal’s wide options, primarily to support Bukayo Saka on the right flank and provide competition for Gabriel Martinelli on the left.
Having notched 20 goals in 92 appearances for Chelsea, his direct attacking style is seen as a valuable addition by Mikel Arteta.
Rice praised that mindset: “When you’re an attacking player and in your mind the first thought you have is to go past your defender, that’s an unbelievable trait to have.”
The England international also highlighted the importance of having greater depth in the squad after a season where Arsenal’s title push was hindered by injuries and a lack of rotation options.
“He’s going to bring that to the squad along with the other wingers we have. Let’s be real – last year we hardly had any depth in any areas,” Rice explained.
“We played half the season pretty much with so many injuries, so to now be able to rotate and push in different competitions with different players is going to be really, really good. That’s key for us.”
Rice Eyes Bigger Role
Having spent the latter part of last season in a more attacking midfield role, Rice looks set to continue as a box-to-box presence this year, particularly with the signings of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
“I think the manager now sees me as a box-to-box player and I think at the back end of last season, off the back of Christmas, I showed fully what I can do in that position and I really kicked on.
“I’m putting really big demands on myself this year. “I’m really trying to push myself because the back end of the season I finished really, really strong.
“At the start of the season last year I was nowhere near the level that I require of myself.
“I put it down to a few things – the back of the Euros final was mentally really tough, having 16 days off, going straight back into a Premier League season.
“More goals. More assists. Impact the games more. Not just do it at the back end of the season; do it in a full season and set myself some numbers.
“I think the best players in the world do that. They want to try and push themselves and that’s what I’m trying to do and the manager is certainly on me to do that as well.”
