Madueke, 23, recently joined Arsenal from Chelsea for a fee reported to be around 48.5 million pounds. While the club sees him as a valuable addition to strengthen their attack, not everyone was pleased with the move. Social media saw the rise of the hashtag NoToMadueke and an online petition against the transfer gathered more than 5,000 signatures.
Rice admitted he was disappointed by the backlash but is confident Madueke will prove his worth.
“I did not like what I saw online,” Rice said after Arsenal’s 1 to 0 win over AC Milan in Singapore. “He is a top player and very determined. I have spoken to him and he is ready to show everyone what he can do.”
Rice believes Madueke is highly motivated and fits perfectly into the club’s vision.
“He wants to play for Arsenal and that is the kind of player we want around us. He is hungry, and I really think he is going to surprise a lot of people this season.”
When Madueke signed, Arsenal released a video showing him reading a welcome letter written by Rice. It was a personal touch that made an impression.
“The club came up with the idea, and I thought it was a great way to make him feel part of the family,” Rice explained. “He messaged me after to say he appreciated it.”
Madueke is expected to compete for a spot on either wing, providing support for Bukayo Saka on the right and offering another option to challenge Gabriel Martinelli on the left. His one-on-one ability is something Arsenal has lacked at times, especially when facing teams that defend in deep blocks.
“When your first instinct as an attacker is to beat your man, that is a rare and special trait,” Rice added. “He is going to bring that edge, along with energy and creativity. Last season, we struggled with depth. Now, we can rotate and stay strong across all competitions. That is going to be crucial.”
Rice Focused on Stepping Up His Game
Looking ahead to the new season, Declan Rice says he is aiming to build on a strong finish from last year. After shifting into a more advanced midfield role, he ended the campaign with nine goals and ten assists. With new signings like Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi now in the squad, Rice expects to stay in that more attacking role.“I think the manager sees me now as a box to box midfielder,” Rice said. “After the winter break last season, I showed what I could really do in that position. I want to go even further this time.”
He also opened up about struggling at the start of the last season, following a mentally exhausting summer and a short break after the European Championship final.
“I was not performing at the level I expect of myself. But I turned it around. Now, I am setting targets. More goals, more assists, and more impact from start to finish.”
Rice said he is pushing himself hard this year and wants to be a consistent game-changer for the team.
“The best players set goals and demand more from themselves. That is what I am doing, and the manager is encouraging me to do exactly that.”
With Arsenal investing heavily and competing on multiple fronts, Rice’s leadership and Madueke’s arrival could be key to pushing the team closer to silverware.
