Fans were Mad to doubt Mik on Noni

JUST two months ago, a petition titled #NoToMadueke began trending online.

- RYAN TAYLOR

It was a ruthless rallying cry from a collection of outspoken Arsenal supporters strongly opposed to the signing of Chelsea's Noni Madueke.

How stupid must they have felt yesterday when the Barnet-born 23-year-old was running rings around Nottingham Forest fullback Morato... and the Clock End was bellowing out his name.

There is no getting away from the fact his arrival raised eyebrows. It was a bolt from the blue and an addition that threatened to reshape Gunners boss Mikel Arteta’s reputation where big recruitment decisions were concerned.

But on the basis of the past week, the shock capture of the attacker was an initial £48.5million very well spent.

Perhaps it is no great surprise a Premier League manager knows more about what his team needs than trolls on social media.

Arteta’ faith and belief in Madueke is already rubbing off on the young England international.

There were signs of real promise at Anfield before the international break when he asked serious questions of Milos Kerkez.