Rio Ferdinand says Arsenal fans seriously owe ‘brilliant’ player an apology now

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Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal fans owe one star an apology after the player’s recent performances.

Arsenal strolled to a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates, courtesy of a brace from Martin Zubimendi and a strike from Viktor Gyokeres.

The result saw the Gunners move up to second in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Liverpool, having played four matches.

Several players impressed against Forest and have started the season well, although one man stood out above the rest.

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Rio Ferdinand says Arsenal fans need to apologise to Noni Madueke

Arsenal signed Noni Madueke for £52 million from Chelsea this summer.

The signing caused division among the fanbase, with many feeling that spending such a significant fee on a squad player was a poor allocation of resources.

However, Madueke has been ‘brilliant’ early in his Arsenal career, standing out at Anfield before the international break and shining against Forest on Saturday.

These early performances from the winger have prompted Rio Ferdinand to call out those Gunners supporters who were critical of the deal when it was enacted.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former Manchester United defender said that Arsenal fans owe Madueke an apology.

“I just want to give the haters, the naysayers who were hammering Madueke, the star boy, Saka, is out and Madueke has gone over to that right side and said, guys, I’m going to give you something a little bit different,” Ferdinand said.

“There’s a different source coming, but I’m going to show you something. And he’s delivered.

“And the Arsenal fans are now salivating over him and going, oh, ‘we love him, he’s our saviour’. Those fans need to come out now, the ones who were the naysayers and negative guys, they need to come out and apologise and say sorry.”

Most Arsenal fans have been supportive of Noni Madueke from the start

When news that Madueke was likely to join Arsenal broke, there were inevitably people who took things too far, creating petitions and sending abuse.

This was typical in the age of social media, but did not represent the majority of supporters who were fully supportive of the player the moment he was linked to the North London club.

Many were sceptical; £52 million felt like a significant outlay on a back-up right winger, and many were concerned that this investment would prevent the Gunners from conducting other transfer business that was needed.

These concerns, along with uncertainty about Madueke’s ability to play off the left, made it reasonable to question the signing at the time.

Most recognised the fact that Arsenal would be getting one of the best back-up wingers in the league, and were willing to support the player regardless of their scepticism around the deal.

Once Eberechi Eze had also been signed, these concerns were allayed somewhat, and Madueke received a warm reception at the Emirates on his home debut against Leeds.