Another angle has been added to the recent face-off between Arsenal’s Nigerian-born winger, Noni Madueke, and Chelsea fans, with his coach, Mikel Arteta, waving aside the incident as a normal part of the intensity seen in a local derby.
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Sports247 reports that, while Madueke felt let down by what he referred to as unsporting behaviour from fans of the club he once gave his best efforts to further their ambitions, Arteta says it’s all part of the game.
Apart from mocking chants from the stands, a number of Chelsea players, including Cole Palmer, appeared to have given funny expressions when they observed Madueke warming up, but Arteta refused to read any meaning into it all.
Consequently, rather than condemn the fans’ attitude in its entirety, Arteta urged Madueke to take things in his stride, even as the England international comes to terms with the realities of the long-standing rivalry between the two London-based clubs.
Madueke, who is also a former academy player at another London-based English Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur, spent two-and-a-half seasons with Chelsea, which he joined in January 2023 for less than £30m.
He, however, made the switch to Emirates Stadium this past summer in a deal worth over £50m including add-ons, much to the chagrin of Blues’ supporters, who feel he betrayed their trust.
Consequently, Madueke was subjected to jeers and boos as he went on for Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, marking his first return to The Blues since his relocation across London in the summer.
Having only recently returned from injury, Madueke had to settle for a place on the bench, but was called upon by Arteta to replace Gabriel Martinelli in the second half.
Nonetheless, Arteta down played the development, pointing out that there was no bad blood after the final whistle, as Madueke was embraced by Chelsea’s captain, Reece James, following which Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana also greeted him.
Rather than dwell on suspicious reactions seen from Palmer and some other Chelsea players when Madueke got off the bench, Arteta simply pointed out that it was a very tough game.
The gaffer noted: “That was a really intense and emotional match. You could sense from the beginning how much was at stake, two teams putting everything into every action.”
