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Less than a year ago, over 5,000 Arsenal fans signed a petition with the hashtag #NoToMadueke, demanding the club abandon its pursuit of the Chelsea winger. On June 17, 2026, that same player started for England in their World Cup opener against Croatia, won a penalty, and helped deliver a 4-2 victory in Dallas.
72 minutes that justified the price tag
Noni Madueke played 72 minutes against Croatia, and he made nearly every one of them count. The 24-year-old winger won the penalty that Harry Kane converted, created two chances, and completed 94% of his passes, going 18-for-19 on the night.
He also went 1/1 on dribbles. Not a stat that screams volume, but it speaks to something Thomas Tuchel clearly values: decision-making. Madueke picked his moments instead of trying to skin his man every time he touched the ball.
The 4-2 scoreline gives England a strong start to their World Cup campaign.
From petition to Premier League champion
When the approximately $70 million transfer went through in summer 2025, a meaningful chunk of the fanbase didn’t want him. The #NoToMadueke petition gathered over 5,000 signatures.
Madueke contributed 3 goals and 1 assist in league play during the 2025/26 campaign. Arsenal won their first Premier League title in 22 years that season, and Madueke was part of the puzzle that finally clicked into place.
Tuchel’s trust
Thomas Tuchel’s decision to start Madueke in a World Cup opener tells you something important about where the winger sits in England’s hierarchy. World Cup openers are not the place for experiments. Managers pick the players they trust most in high-pressure environments.
The penalty he won was the kind of play that justifies that trust. Getting into dangerous positions, drawing fouls, creating tangible goal-scoring opportunities. Kane did what Kane always does from the spot, but Madueke created the moment.
What this means going forward
The 94% pass completion rate suggests he can be reliable in possession-heavy games. The penalty won shows he can be decisive in transition. And his willingness to take on defenders, even if he only attempted one dribble, indicates he can be a threat against deeper defensive blocks too.
The player who 5,000 people didn’t want at Arsenal just started a World Cup game and helped England win 4-2. Sometimes the crowd gets it wrong, and sometimes the $70 million price tag gets it right.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
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