Former Chelsea hero Joe Cole has openly admitted his lingering disappointment over his old club's decision to sell winger Noni Madueke to London rivals Arsenal. The transfer, completed in July last year for a fee of £50 million, saw the 23-year-old England international move from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea's Loss Becomes Arsenal's Gain
The switch initially divided opinion among Arsenal supporters, given Madueke's inconsistent spell at Chelsea, where he frequently found himself in and out of the starting lineup. However, since joining Mikel Arteta's squad, the young attacker has made a positive start, featuring in 19 appearances across all competitions as the Gunners contend for both the Premier League title and progress in the Champions League.
Cole, reflecting on the transfer, acknowledged that Madueke's performances at Chelsea often frustrated fans due to a lack of regularity, but he always recognised the player's underlying talent. 'I was gutted to see him leave Chelsea,' Cole told TNT Sports. 'He gets you off your feet, he can go both ways, he's capable of that. I think the thing that frustrated the fans, though he's still a young man, it wasn't regular enough.'
Thriving Under Arteta's Guidance
Madueke has particularly excelled in European competition, scoring three goals in just three Champions League appearances, including a spectacular strike against Club Brugge. Despite this, his domestic form has been less prolific, with no goals or assists recorded in 14 Premier League outings for Arsenal so far.
Manager Mikel Arteta has commented on Madueke's contributions, noting his influence while highlighting areas for improvement. After an FA Cup match against Portsmouth and ahead of a Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea earlier this month, Arteta stated: 'He was very influential, very positive. In some other things that we need to improve in terms of consistency, but the level of threat that he provides to the team is remarkable.'
Madueke's Perspective on the Move
The winger himself has spoken about Arteta's pivotal role in convincing him to make the switch across London. 'I think the first time I got on the phone with Mikel was a great conversation,' Madueke revealed earlier this season. 'It was me and my dad and him. He just highlighted the plans he had for the team and the plans he had for me. A lot of the things that he said really resonated with me and then, of course, I knew how good the team was and that they were in a position to really challenge for major honours. So that's what made the choice for me.'
Cole believes that the competitive environment at Arsenal, with players like Bukayo Saka providing stiff competition, has helped Madueke thrive. 'He's gone to Arsenal and I think he's thrived with competition, got Saka in front of him. I think he's an outstanding player, I was gutted to see him leave Chelsea, but he's doing well,' the former Chelsea star concluded.
