Mikel Arteta has praised Noni Madueke’s response to the initial reaction around his signing for Arsenal, with the winger impressing against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
There were plenty of positive moments in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and one was the fan response to Noni Madueke’s substitution.
Madueke had been excellent on the day, and the supporters inside the Emirates Stadium recognised it by chanting his name and giving him a standing ovation as he left the field.
It was a far cry from the summer, when some Arsenal supporters online rallied against the signing. Madueke has quickly changed plenty of minds with his on-field efforts, and Mikel Arteta has suggested the player’s initial response to all the noise was very encouraging.
“A lot of courage, that’s how I’d describe him,” Arteta said on Saturday. “Obviously a lot of quality but a lot of courage.
“We were about to sign him and there was that reaction around him. I spoke to him and he was like, *blows raspberry* ‘I’ll go for it, I can’t wait to put that shirt on and play for you guys.’
“I said, ‘wow, let’s bring him’. If I was convinced before, I’m more convinced now that he’s going to do it. He has such a power, such a capacity to repeat efforts because to be able to do that physically you have to have a different specimen, I think.
“He’s certainly that but he’s very skilful, very unpredictable. He’s so willing to learn and it brings joy.
“I look at him and he’s always smiling, he’s always trying things. He gets one wrong, he goes again and that’s what I love about the creative players because you need that to be successful.”
Anyone complaining about the addition of Madueke was quickly silenced both by the player’s performances and Arsenal’s clear need for him in the team.
Bukayo Saka’s injury would have left Arsenal short again without Madueke, just as we saw last season. Madueke had big boots to fill in Saka’s absence, but he’s stepped up to the task so far.
Next up is the Champions League, and Madueke is clearly looking forward to it.
“When Eberechi Eze and I came off, we were talking about it man – it’s going to be special,” Madueke said after the game. “It’s our first time playing in the Champions League so something to thank God for – we’ll try and have fun and get a win!”