Noni Madueke ready for 'hostile' Chelsea return after 'unbelievable' love from Arsenal fans | OneFootball

Madueke thanks Arsenal fans for support following online backlash

The move initially drew criticism on social media, where the hashtag #NoToMadueke gained traction and an online petition gathered over 5,000 signatures.

Madueke, who scored his first goal for Arsenal in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Bayern Munich, was not fazed by the reaction and did not let it impact him.

Madueke scored against Bayern after coming off the bench

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The winger has felt the love from fans inside Emirates Stadium and that has made it easier to ignore those online.

“To be honest, I just kind of take that stuff in my stride,” said Madueke. “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. I am not really worried about all of that [what happened in the summer]. It is in the distant past.

“Like the last game versus Tottenham, it was incredible and that gives me such a boost.

“I play on the side of the pitch, I can feel them (the fans), I can hear them. When they are that positive about me, it gives me a massive boost. Honestly, I am made up about it.”

Madueke made his comeback against Spurs last weekend after being out of action for nearly two months.

He had made a bright start to life at Arsenal before being struck down by a knee injury while playing against Manchester City.

“It was horrible, the timing of the injury,” said Madueke. “It was horrible timing, but it is what it is.

“You face adversity as a footballer and it is about how you get back. Today was great for me, personally, and great for the team. I am really happy.”

Madueke is back fit now and excelled off the bench against Bayern after coming on in the first half to replace the injured Leandro Trossard.

He got over 50 minutes of action under his belt and will be in contention to start on Sunday, when he returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since leaving in the summer.

“For me, it is another game, honestly,” said Madueke. “The fixture is not about me.

“The fixture is about Arsenal getting another three points in the league and being closer to our objective. That is honestly how I think about it.

“It might be a little bit hostile, it might not be, but I am a professional footballer. I have played in loads of atmospheres. I don’t know if anything will faze me. I will just be focused on the task.”

Madueke was pleased by his performance on Wednesday because England boss Thomas Tuchel was in attendance.

The winger was forced to miss the last two squads through injury, but is among those hoping to feature at the World Cup next summer.

“He told me he was in the stands and, to be fair, I am probably going to run off to see if I can still catch him,” said Madueke.

“But it is great he is here. I know he does a lot of work trying to get out to as many games as possible, trying to watch as many players as possible.

“I am made up that he saw my first goal, here, today. I will try catch him now and see if we can talk about it.”