Jamie O’Hara says he’s a ‘massive fan’ of a player Arsenal fans didn’t like

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Jamie O’Hara has revealed that he’s a huge admirer of one specific Arsenal player who fans didn’t warm to initially.

Andrea Berta went big in the summer transfer window to ensure Mikel Arteta has a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts this term.

The Italian sporting director signed eight players, adding the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi to Arteta’s ensemble.

This approach has clearly paid dividends thus far, as the Gunners sit top of the Premier League table after seven matches.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Jamie O’Hara says he’s a ‘massive fan’ of Noni Madueke

Arsenal spent £52 million on Madueke in July.

The winger arrived from Chelsea in controversial fashion, with the addition dividing the Gunners fanbase.

Many felt investing such a significant sum on a backup to Bukayo Saka was a poor allocation of resources, and a vocal minority went to greater lengths to voice their displeasure over the signing, petitioning against it.

That said, it didn’t take long for the Arsenal supporters to warm to the electric wide man. Madueke shone for Arteta’s side early in the season, before sustaining a serious knee injury in a clash with Manchester City.

Speaking on talkSPORT, O’Hara expressed his admiration for Madueke, claiming that England need the player ‘fit and firing’ in the World Cup.

“Noni Madueke. I’m a massive fan of him,” the former Tottenham midfielder said.

“He got a bit of stick from Arsenal fans. They didn’t want him in the summer. He came in and was their best player. He picked up an injury, but again, he’s one, you know, we need fit and firing for the World Cup.”

Noni Madueke’s minutes could be somewhat limited when he returns from injury

It’s not yet clear whether Arteta primarily bought Madueke to play on the left or to compete with Saka on the right.

Both players are yet to be fit at the same time this season, and thus, it’ll be interesting to see where he fits in when he returns from injury.

It’s possible that Madueke’s minutes are considerably more sparse when he does return, however. Saka is likely to start most games off the right when he’s fit, while Eze, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli will all be competing for a spot off the right.

This could lead to some disgruntlement from Madueke or anyone else in Arsenal’s squad who may not play as much as they’d want.

That said, this is an inevitable symptom of having such a bloated roster, and Arteta will simply have to deal with this.