%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
The Arsenal captain has backed Noni Madueke to "shock" Arsenal fans with his determination and ability this season.
Speaking after Arsenal's 1-0 victory over AC Milan, in the first match of the Gunners' Asian tour, Rice described the strengths that he believes Madueke will bring to the club.
Rice shared with the media just how hungry Madueke is. "He's hungry, he wants to play for Arsenal and that's the type of players we want. It's so positive."
Madueke is determined to prove doubters wrong
Rice made it clear that Madueke is determined to prove his doubters wrong when he wears an Arsenal shirt. Fans can expect him to try and show what he can do.
According to Rice, his fellow teammates are already sold on what Madueke can add to the squad. The players are very excited that Madueke is joing them.
In modern day football, it's unusual to find a player who is prepared to take on and go past their defender. Madueke is capable of doing just that which could prove to be a potent weapon for Arsenal in tight games.
Some teams sit in with a low block against the top sides and we saw at Southampton last season just how frustrating that can be. Having a player like Madueke in the team could unlock defences by getting in behind down the flanks.
Rice described Madueke's drive to go past his man as "an unbelievable trait to have."
The petition against signing Madueke described as 'crazy'
The #notomadueke social media onslaught has been widely condemned and the petition against signing him has been described as crazy by many both inside and outside of the club's fanbase. Rice said that he was "unhappy" about the backlash to the signing.
The England international has joined Arsenal for a reported fee of £48million with another £4m in add-ons. Madueke has put pen to paper on a five-year deal. He will wear the number 20 shirt.
Incredibly Madueke has represented England at Under 16, 17, 18, under-21, and senior level. In 2023, he featured in all of the England Under-21's games as they went on to lift the EUFA European Championship.
Madueke joins Arsenal hoping to prove his doubters wrong and win over the Arsenal faithful. The Arsenal captain is certain that's exactly what Madueke will do.