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More 2,700 Arsenal fans have signed a petition calling for the club to 'do better' as they close in on the signing of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.
Gunners fans have voiced their displeasure at reports linking the side with a £50million move for the Blues forward, who has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge.
The English international, who has reportedly agreed personal terms on a five-year deal in north London, is the subject of the '#NOTOMADUEKE' petition on Change.org, which has been signed almost 3,000 times.
'Arsenal fans deserve better,' reads the 'The Issue', breaking down the reason for supporter's angst. 'We are so close to success and instead of capitalising on the squad we have it seems we are moving 2 steps back just like the 3 previous transfer windows.
'We can surely do better than Madueke & [Viktor] Gyokeres show some ambition repay the fans the same way we’ve backed the club for the past 2 decades.'
While most Arsenal fans are generally excited by the prospect of adding prolific Swedish striker Gyokeres to their ranks, the addition of yet another player from their London rivals Chelsea appears to have irked vast swatches of the fanbase.
More 2,700 Arsenal fans have signed a petition calling for the club to 'do better' as they close in on the signing of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke
Mikel Arteta has come under fire in some quarters for the perceived lack of ambition shown in the signing
The Gunners have already signed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from the Blues this summer - the sixth Chelsea player acquired during Mikel Arteta's time in charge.
'Arsenal fans do not want our club cleaning out Chelsea's dustbin, and financing their upgrades,' wrote one featured commenter on the petition.
'We need to be upgrading our first team with world class players, like we were promised, not spending £50-£60m on a player who is clearly not of the level the fans expect. This decision for me should raise serious questions about the direction & ambition of the club.'
Another said: '20+ years of unwavering support and this is how we’re repaid? Mediocre signings with zero ambition while rivals strengthen?
'Arsenal is on the cusp of greatness don’t ruin it with clueless transfers. Back us properly or step aside.'
The backlash comes after reports revealed that Arsenal have opened talks with Chelsea over the signing of 23-year-old.
Madueke was a first-team regular at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca last season. He featured in 32 of Chelsea's 38 Premier League games - starting in 27 of them - and provided seven goals and three assists.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had appeared open to Madueke potentially leaving the club when questioned about his future at the Club World Cup on the weekend.
The Gunners have already signed one player from Chelsea this summer - goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, pictured with sporting director Andrea Berta
The 23-year-old was a regular starter for the Blues last season but appears to be available this summer
'Noni has been very important for us. But my message to the players and to the club is that I want just players that are happy to be with us,' Maresca said.
'The ones that are not happy, they are free to go. Noni has been very good during the season'.
