Declan Rice and Noni Madueke (Photo by Shaun Botterill, Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has admitted he didn’t like a lot of the noise around Noni Madueke’s transfer to the Gunners from Chelsea.
The England international recently completed his switch from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates Stadium, but there were some Gooners who didn’t react well to the deal.
There was notably an anti-Madueke petition that went viral online, while some graffiti popped up near Arsenal’s stadium calling for Mikel Arteta to be sacked at around the same time.
Needless to say, it seems Rice didn’t think much of it, as he’s now leaped to the defence of his new teammate.
Rice and Madueke know each other from England duty, and it’s clear the Arsenal new-boy already has someone backing him and ready to fight his corner.
Declan Rice on Noni Madueke Arsenal controversy
Declan Rice in action against Noni Madueke (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“There’s obviously been a lot of talk around his signing. I didn’t like it, if I’m speaking honestly,” Rice told the Athletic.
“But I know how driven he is. I’ve spoken to him and you’re going to see what he’s about this season. As football players, and players that have played with him, we know the quality he has.”
Rice also backed Madueke to prove people wrong and cause a few surprises in the season ahead.
“He’s so driven, and he’s proven. He wants to prove, and show everyone, what he can do and I think you’re going to see that. There’s a hunger inside his belly,” Rice said.
“When he signed, he had like 10 or 11 people with him — that excitement, it’s a good thing. He’s hungry, He wants to play for Arsenal, and those are the type of players we want. It’s so positive. I think he’s going to shock a lot of people, and I can’t wait for him to come.”
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