Arsenal fans branded 'embarrassing' for petition against Mikel Arteta's transfer plan

Arsenal have been branded embarrassing for creating and signing a petition opposing the signing of Noni Madueke.

The Gunners are in talks with Chelsea about signing the winger, who is currently with the Club World Cup finalists in the US. Arsenal are understood to have tabled a bid of £50m including add-ons for the 23-year-old as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.

The Gunners have already agreed personal terms with the former PSV Eindhoven star. However, Arsenal’s approach hasn’t gone down well with some of their own fans, who feel the club can do better in the transfer market.

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Some fans have even taken the drastic step of creating an online petition urging the club to look elsewhere. The petition carries a #NOTOMADUEKE hashtag and a picture of the player with a red cross through his face. At the time of writing, it has been signed just over 2,000 times.

Other Arsenal fans have slammed the petition, branding it "embarrassing", while supporters of other clubs have also waded in. One bemoaned: “This fanbase is finished. Who started a petition for Madueke?”

Another Gunners supporter added: “Embarrassing behaviour.” A third said: “Absolutely disgraceful behaviour, we really are the worst fan base in the world.”

A fourth defended the seven-cap England international, posting: “I understand the frustration with the potential signing of Madueke but some of our fanbase are total morons. Petitions? Online Abuse? Grow Up! England international, 23 years old, and has unreal pace. Get behind the player (and team).”

As the petition reached four figures, one fan pointed out: “1000 people do not represent Arsenal.”

Amid Arsenal’s chase for Viktor Gyokeres - the top-class No. 9 the team is crying out for - others could understand fans’ frustrations over the pursuit of Madueke. One said: “Not that we don't like him. The club hasn't signed the player we want. This is just the sample reason we are bashing him. We need a proper number 9. No number of signings will make us happy unless a proper striker is signed.”

Another said: “The fans are fed up tbh. Instead of getting Gyokeres, the club is willing to spend more than £50m for another Chelsea player. Do we really need Noni? Now that you’re missing out on Sesko, Gyokeres & Osimhen, it’s another season gone. Something isn’t right with this club.”

The sale of Madueke for the aforementioned fee would represent a handy profit for Chelsea, who paid £28.5m for him two-and-a-half years ago. One Blues fan waded in, advising the Gunners: “Lol. They should take him. He can be frustrating 85% of the time but really exciting 15% of the time and that’s what a backup should be.”

Talks with Sporting CP over Gyokeres have stalled over a difference in valuations of the Swedish striker, while the Gunners have been priced out of first-choice target Benjamin Sesko, adding to the frustrations of fans.