What Arsenal players have said internally about Noni Madueke and Declan Rice’s Max Dowman verdict

Declan Rice did not like the reaction to the signing of Noni Madueke from some Arsenal fans but he believes the new man will “shock a lot of people”. Last week the winger completed his £48.5million transfer from Chelsea as Mikel Arteta upgraded his options in the final third.

Amid links with Rodrygo of Real Madrid and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, it’s fair to say that the addition of Madueke did not sit well with some Arsenal supporters. Rice knows there is a hunger inside Madueke’s belly, though, and that is only going to help the Gunners as the new addition looks to make a huge mark at the club.

“I didn’t like it, if I’m speaking honestly,” said Rice when asked about the response from some fans to the transfer deal. “But I know how driven he is. I’ve spoken to him and you’re going to see what he’s about this season.

“I think he’s so driven and he’s really, really proven. He wants to prove and show everyone what he really can do and I think you’re going to see that. There’s a hunger inside his belly. I think you see it, when he signed, he had like 10 or 11 people with him, the excitement, it’s a good thing.

“He’s hungry, he wants to play for Arsenal and that’s 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. That’s what I said in my letter and I really mean it because I really like him as a person.”

Rice doesn’t feel the need to put an arm around Madueke’s shoulder as he knows how strong and determined he is. He also mentioned that everyone internally at Arsenal are very excited for the new player’s arrival.

“No, not really because he’s a strong character as it is. He’s a really, really strong character,” he added. “It was when the club came to me and came up with the idea and I said I would love to write a letter for him.

“Obviously knowing him up close and he messaged me about it saying that he really, really appreciates it. It was just a nice little touch for him to join the club and feel welcome.

“Trust me when I say the boys are really looking forward to it. People have been speaking internally, the players, the staff. We know the player that we’re getting and we’re really looking forward to having him at our club. It’s going to be really exciting.”

Rice knows the winger from England international duty and it’s his personality and character that immediately stood out to him.

“History with Noni is playing against him. First time was West Ham and he’s just signed for Chelsea. He might have been 20 then, 21,” said Rice. “Then I met him as a person at England and was blown away by his personality and character. I don’t think a lot of people would have him down as that but he’s one of those people who lifts the dressing room.

“He really cares about his football, has really high demands and that’s what shocked me about him. Then seeing him up close on the training pitch, when he gets the ball he just wants to beat his man. He’s so positive and direct.

“There’s obviously been a lot of talk around his signing but as football players and players that have played with him, we know the quality he has and we’re really, really looking forward to having him come and play for us. It’s a real good signing for us so I’m really excited to have him with us.”

Madueke’s one-on-one ability, which Rice believes is an “unbelievable trait” to have, can be a huge for Arsenal as they look to compete at the top for major honours.

“Yes, definitely. I think when you’re an attacking player and in your mind the first thought you have is to go past your defender, I think that’s an unbelievable trait to have,” explained Rice. “He’s going to bring that to the squad along with the other wingers we have.

“Let’s be real, last year we hardly had any depth in any areas. We played half the season pretty much with so many injuries, so to now be able to rotate and push in different competitions with different players is going to be really, really good. That’s key for us.”

Arsenal have another exciting attacking option on their books in Max Dowman. The 15-year-old caught the eye in Wednesday’s friendly against AC Milan and Rice has been “really surprised” by the group of youngsters on tour and what they are producing.

“Max is obviously unbelievable,” admitted the ex-West Ham man. “There’s a lot of talk about Max and how good he is. But there’s also five or six other young lads who also play tonight. Marli, Josh Nichols, Louis Copley, who was on the bench.

“The group that have come with us have actually really, really surprised me. First I’ve seen a lot of them. Obviously I know Max, but just how composed they are, calm they are for 15, 16 years old. It’s way different to how I was.

“They play with no fear and we’ve got a really good crop of youngsters coming through. Obviously Max will get the talk, but there’s a lot of other players as well that are really, really special. We’ve got a lucky future ahead of us with these players coming through.”

Rice is certainly feeling nice and refreshed going into the new season after having a month off with no international football tournaments taking place this year. It is rather different to 12 months ago when he only had 16 days to rest following England’s participation at Euro 2024. That in turn could be huge for Arsenal across the campaign.

“Massive. I’m putting really big demands on myself this year. I’m really trying to push myself because the back end of the season I finished really, really strong,” said the player.

“At the start of the season last year I was nowhere near the level that I require of myself. I put it down to a few things. The back of the Euros final was mentally really tough. Having 16 days off, going straight back into a Premier League season. It was really, really hard.

“It took me a few months to get going again but now I’m getting a full pre-season, I feel really fit, really strong and I’m going to try and kick off the new season really, really strong and that’s what I want to do and put the demands on myself to do that.”

Rice looks set to push upfield more this season with Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard now at the club. The incoming duo have already impressed him so far.

“I think I have the capacity to play number six if needed but we obviously have Zubimendi, who we’ve signed, and Christian Norgaard who have been incredible. To see them up close in the first two weeks has been really, really good,” outlined Rice.

“I think the manager now sees me as a box-to-box player and I think at the back end of last season, off the back of Christmas, I showed fully what I can do in that position and I really kicked on. There’s still so much room for growth in that area for me as well.

“I’m looking forward to the season ahead and set myself some really good targets that I want to try and hit personally so I’m going to keep pushing to do that.”

So what exactly are those targets?

“More goals, more assists, impact the games more. Not just do it at the back end of the season, do it in a full season and set myself some numbers,” admitted Arsenal’s No.41.

“I think the best players in the world do that. They want to try and push themselves and that’s what I’m trying to do and the manager is certainly on me to do that as well.”