NONI NOW MAD ABOUT THE FANS

New winger feeling the love at Emirates

- BY RYAN TAYLOR

NONI MADUEKE insists the fan petition against his Arsenal transfer is now a distant memory - because the love he is receiving from supporters is driving him on.

The England winger, who made his long-awaited return from a knee injury against Tottenham last Sunday, scored his first Arsenal goal in Wednesday night's 3-1 Champions League victory against Bayern Munich.

Madueke admits he had to have a thick skin when he first made the £52m switch across London from Chelsea, but now he is reaping the rewards of his brave new venture.

He said of the initial fan response to his arrival: "To be honest, I just kind of take all that stuff in my stride.

"It is normal, you are in the public eye, people can say whatever they want about you but being in the stadium and how the fans have taken to me in the stadium, is unbelievable.