Football
“Negativity is lessening” over Madueke Arsenal move, and it’s down to Gyokeres
Noni Madueke is set to join Arsenal in a £52 million move, but transfer expert Charles Watts believes the backlash surrounding the deal is already easing thanks to the club’s other high-profile signings.
The England international is close to completing his switch to Mikel Arteta’s squad, a move that has sparked heated debates online. A petition opposing the transfer has even surfaced on change.org, gathering over 5,000 signatures. Despite this, Madueke’s arrival coincides with Arsenal securing Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres and Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, with further interest in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.
Watts feels that the anger toward Madueke’s transfer is losing steam as fans focus on the club’s broader progress in the market, especially the acquisition of Gyokeres. Speaking on the situation, Watts noted that Arsenal’s transfer record under Arteta has been largely impressive, and he expects Madueke to win supporters over in time.
“There have been few real failures since Arteta took over. While there’s criticism now, Madueke has the chance to silence doubters if he proves why the manager wanted him,” Watts explained. “We’ve seen it happen before. Kai Havertz was under immense pressure when he signed, but now the fans chant his name with pride. Madueke has the same potential. At 23, his talent is undeniable. If the coaching staff refine his end product, all this negativity will quickly fade.”
Watts added that the criticism surrounding the transfer would have been harsher if Madueke had arrived later in the window without other marquee signings to offset concerns. “It’s a lot less brutal now because the striker deal is done. Had Madueke’s announcement come at the end of the window with no other additions, the reaction would have been far worse,” he said.
The former Chelsea winger missed the Blues’ 3-0 Club World Cup final win over Paris Saint-Germain to finalize his Arsenal move. He departs Stamford Bridge with 20 goals and nine assists in 92 appearances. At Arsenal, he could provide competition for Bukayo Saka on the right or even take over from Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard on the left, amid speculation about their futures.
Madueke isn’t the first player under Arteta to face a rocky reception from fans. Aaron Ramsdale’s arrival in 2021 was met with fierce criticism before he became a fan favorite. Havertz also endured skepticism last summer but has since silenced many doubters with strong performances.
Watts believes Madueke can follow a similar path and prove his worth at the Emirates. “Joining Arsenal comes with pressure, and you need to have thick skin. Ramsdale faced severe backlash, even threats, yet rose above it. Havertz was doubted too, but he turned things around. Madueke is in a similar spot, but if Arteta believes in him this strongly, fans need to back him.”
He added, “The club sees Madueke as a player whose value will skyrocket in a few years. They’re confident that, within Arsenal’s system, he’ll deliver far more than he has so far. Supporters might not see it now, but the coaching staff has a clear vision for him, and they’re convinced this deal will prove to be a bargain.”
Madueke’s official unveiling at Arsenal is expected within days, and he’s likely to be included in the squad for their upcoming pre-season tour of Asia.
Football
‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer
Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.
The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.
In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.
The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.
Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.
Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.
Football
Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider
Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.
In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.
The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.
With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.
Football
Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.
A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.
Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.
Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.
Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.
After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.
Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.
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