Club were actually scared to sell their incredible star to Arsenal, now their worst fears have come true

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Arsenal’s recruitment over the years has mostly been fantastic.

Mikel Arteta often comes under criticism for some of the players he targets, but more often than not, he is proven right.

The likes of Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya, Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino are all good examples of players who were criticised when they were signed but later silenced their doubters.

Now, another player has done the same, which is exactly what the club that sold him didn’t want to see happen.

Chelsea feared that selling Noni Madueke to Arsenal could come back to haunt them

Noni Madueke spent two-and-a-half years at Chelsea after joining them from PSV Eindhoven.

The Englishman, who was previously on Tottenham’s books, did a decent job with the Blues, but he was never their main player.

Arsenal saw that and decided to make their move in the summer. That came as a surprise to many, but Arteta was adamant that he wanted Madueke.

The 23-year-old has had a great start to life at Arsenal. He has been brilliant on the right wing, so much so that some people are questioning whether Bukayo Saka will be able to come straight back into the side.

People at Chelsea feared this would happen. Many at the club warned the decision-makers that selling Madueke ‘could come back to haunt them’. Those fears have come true.

Mark Brus wrote in the Daily Briefing: “I can now also reveal that there was some genuine concern inside Chelsea about letting Madueke go when his underlying numbers were so promising, and with the player now another year older and more experienced.

“Checking in with multiple sources in the industry today, they all confirmed that key figures in the recruitment team made their case at the time that selling Madueke was a “risky” call and one that could come back to haunt them.”

Chelsea may not have sold Madueke to Arsenal if one thing hadn’t happened

Madueke directly contributed to 16 goals for Chelsea last season.

The Englishman offered solutions to Enzo Maresca on both flanks, and his underlying numbers were very good for someone who’s only 23.

Chelsea must definitely be regretting their decision to let Madueke leave for Arsenal, but they almost had no choice.

That’s because Madueke agreed personal terms with the Gunners very quickly. If that hadn’t happened, the Blues may well have kept him.

“It is also my understanding that Madueke was keen to go to Arsenal after initially agreeing personal terms after talks with Andrea Berta and Arteta,” Brus wrote.

“Had he shown a preference for staying at Stamford Bridge to fight for his place, then things might have progressed differently.”