Mikel Arteta has revealed the online petition in response to Arsenal’s pursuit of Noni Madueke this summer increased his determination to make the move work for the former Chelsea winger.
Madueke will make his first return to Stamford Bridge on Sunday since he made the switch across London, and a hostile reception is expected for the 23-year-old.
England attacker Madueke initially experienced opposition from Arsenal fans in July when the move was first speculated, as #NoToMadueke trended on social media and sparked an online petition signed by 4,000 people, but it only strengthened Arteta’s desire.
“If anything it gave me more conviction and more will to help him,” Arteta said.
“And do everything we possibly could to make his relationship work and to prepare everything around him in the best possible way.
“I think that lasted a short period of time and immediately we had complete the opposite reaction which I think he valued, respected and it was like fuel to him. it did not affect him.”
London-born Madueke marked his return from a knee injury with an appearance off the bench in the 4-1 success over old club Tottenham on Sunday before he opened his account for Arsenal on Wednesday in the Champions League win against Bayern Munich.
A flying start by Madueke in August instantly turned doubters, but Arteta was thrilled with the contribution of the versatile wide-man in midweek and could start him at Chelsea.
Arteta added: “I am very pleased with him since the day that he came with his attitude and what he has brought to the team.
“He has brought another type of threat with his capacity to play on the right and the left and his skillset is different to what we had.
“We saw that again on Wednesday. He started in one position
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