Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice came to the defense of the new signature of Noni Madueke, urging fans to give a chance to the former Chelsea winger and predict that he will “shock a lot of people” with his performances this season.
The move of Madueke of 48.5 million pounds sterling in the Emirates last week triggered backlash on social networks, with the hashtag #notomadueke trend and more than 5,000 people signing a petition opposed to the transfer.
But Rice, speaking after the victory of the pre-season of Arsenal over AC Milan in Singapore, clearly said that he supports the club’s decision and supports the 23-year-old to prosper.
“I know how motivated it is,” said Rice. “I told him about and you will see what it is this season. He wants to prove and show everyone what he can really do.
“He’s hungry, he wants to play for Arsenal and this is the type of players we want. It’s so positive.
“He will shock a lot of people and I can’t wait for him to come.
“People have spoken internally – the players, the staff. We know the player we get and we are really impatient to have it in our club. It will be really exciting.”
As part of the club’s efforts to welcome Madueke, Rice wrote a letter to the new signature – a gesture captured in the Arsenal official announcement video.
The midfielder said the initiative came from the club, adding that it was a significant way to make Madueke feel at home.
“It was a nice little touch for him to join the club and feel welcome,” said Rice. “He sent me a message, saying he really appreciates it, really.”
Mamanke arrives to strengthen the broad options of Arsenal, mainly to support Bukayo Saka on the right flank and ensure competition in Gabriel Martinelli on the left.
Having scored 20 goals in 92 appearances for Chelsea, his direct style of attack is considered a precious addition by Mikel Arteta.
Rice praised this state of mind: “When you are an attacker player and in your mind, the first thought you have is to pass before your defender, is an incredible feature to have.”
The English international also stressed the importance of having a greater depth in the team after a season when the push of the title of Arsenal was hampered by injuries and a lack of rotation options.
“He will bring this to the team with the other wingers we have. Be real – last year, we have practically no depth in any area,” said Rice.
“We have played half the season with so much injuries, so to be able to run and share different competitions with different players will be really very good. This is the key for us.”
Rice Eyes biggest role
Having passed this last part of last season in a more attacker’s role, Rice seems ready to continue as the presence of box-tobox this year, in particular with the signatures of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
“I think the manager now considers me as a boxed box player and I think that at the back of last season, at the back of Christmas, I completely showed what I can do in this position and I really launched.
“I put very great demands this year.” I really try to push me because the back of the season that I really finished, really strong.
“At the start of the season of last year, I was far from the level I needed.
“I put it on a few things – the back of the Euros final was mentally difficult, having 16 days off, returning directly to a season of Premier League.
“More goals. More assists. Impact more matches. Not just doing it at the back of the season; Do it in a full season and put me a few figures.
“I think the best players in the world do it. They want to try to push themselves and that’s what I try to do and manage it is certainly on me to do it too.”
