PREMIER LEAGUE
Rice describes Madueke arrival as a 'big statement' for Arsenal
Declan Rice believes Arsenal have made a "big statement" with the signing of Noni Madueke and is backing the winger to deliver in the big moments.
On Friday, Arsenal confirmed they had signed Madueke in a deal reportedly worth £48.5m plus add-ons.
Madueke is the fourth player to join Arsenal during the current transfer window, after midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
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The 23-year-old scored seven goals and registered three assists in the Premier League last season, including a hat-trick in a 6-2 rout of Wolves last August.
Only Cole Palmer (15) and Nicolas Jackson (10) outscored Madueke for Chelsea last term, despite the England international being limited to 2,046 minutes of league action.
Palmer was also the only player to better Madueke's 45 successful dribbles, with 51, while the winger played the full 90 minutes in a 4-1 win over Real Betis in the Conference League final.
And Madueke's international team-mate Rice expects him to make a major impact at Emirates Stadium.
In a video posted to Arsenal's social media accounts, Madueke was shown reading a letter from Rice, which read: "Welcome to the Arsenal family. Noni, my brother.
"I'm buzzing for you to join the club. We've got an unbelievable group and everyone is looking forward to playing with you.
"We are going to enjoy special moments together and bring success to this club, which everyone wants, and you are going to be a massive part of that.
"Knowing you as a person and as a player, your arrival is going to be a big statement, and I know you're going to be incredible for us.
"You have so many qualities already and so much capacity to keep growing with us. Looking forward to seeing you in person and if you need anything, shout me. Big love, Dec."
Madueke's Arsenal debut will not come on their pre-season tour of Asia, which begins against Milan in Singapore on Wednesday.
He has been omitted from their travelling squad following his involvement in Chelsea's triumphant Club World Cup campaign.
The Gunners are reportedly hoping to finalise moves for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera and Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres in the coming days, though neither have joined in time to be part of their pre-season tour.
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