New arrival Noni Madueke believes that his instinct led him to Arsenal, as he feels that this is the right move for him to continue progressing personally and professionally.
The England international winger has swapped one corner of London for another after signing from Chelsea, returning to his north London roots having been born and raised in Barnet.
Therefore the 23-year-old admits it was a proud moment when he put pen to paper on his new contract, as he seeks to continue developing his game with his best years still ahead of him.
Reflecting on why he opted to join us, he explained: “I’m somebody who goes with my gut feeling a lot of the time and I feel like it’s steered me in the right direction so far. So, I don’t think it’s going to be any different here. I think it’s going to be a great success and I’m really happy to be here.
“I’ve just been relaxed, waiting for the green light and when I came in today, it all felt real. I’m really happy and really proud, so it’s a great moment for me. It’s great to go back home, be with my mum, my dad. I know my mum misses me in the house!
“It’s already a great team with a clear identity and I can’t wait to bring my style to the team and try and help the boys as much as possible to take that next step.”
When pressed about his aims for the upcoming campaign, Noni added: “To win all the competitions we’re in, I feel like we’re definitely capable of doing that. And also to help the team in every way I can and grow as a player, but also as a person.”
Noni’s attacking threat will be key to us achieving those ambitions, but he has proved in his time in the Premier League so far that he’s more than capable of putting the fear into opposition defenders.
No player in the competition averaged more carries ending in a shot, while only three other wingers bettered his non-penalty xG. He also averages 3.5 shots per game, and his versatility will be crucial for Mikel Arteta going forward.
“I feel like everyone here, all the players here in the team are established Premier League players in their own right and I’d like to say I am as well,” Noni added.
“I try and be a dual threat from the left and from the right. Of course, it’s a little different when I play on the left or when I play on the right, but it doesn’t really matter to me where I play. I only really have one thought in my mind when I get the ball to feet or in space, it is just to line up the full-back and go past him, so that’s definitely one of my main strengths.”
Having been involved in the same Three Lions squads as Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly in recent months, Noni can lean on plenty of familiar faces over his first few weeks at the club.
This summer saw him help Chelsea win the Club World Cup so he has been granted extra time off to recuperate, but he admits he is already itching to get going with his new teammates.
“I’ve spoken to Dec, Myles, Bukayo, even Jurrien as well and they all say amazing things about the club and the culture here, how warm it is and how much of a family it is,” he smiled. “I’m really happy to be a part of the Arsenal family now.
“I’m very happy, very excited to get to work. I’ll go on holiday for a little bit now, but I can’t wait to get back and meet all the boys and train.
“I was saying it to all my friends walking around here, you don’t even want to take the rest. I know I have to for my body and stuff to heal, but when I come back, I’ll be raring to go.”
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