DECLAN RICE has told the Arsenal doubters: Noni Madueke will “shock” you.The Gunners’ £52m summer capture of Madueke from Chelsea has sparked a volatile online response, with over 5,000 fans signing a #NoToMadueke petition.GettyRice has made his feelings clear to Arsenal fans on Madueke[/caption]GettyMadueke left Chelsea’s Club World Cup final to ensure he got the Arsenal deal across the line[/caption]GettyArsenal paid an initial £48.5m for Madueke from rivals Chelsea[/caption]However, midfielder Rice has backed pal Madueke to silence the critics – claiming the 23-year-old winger will give Mikel Arteta’s side an X-Factor and depth in attack they currently lack.Madueke is not with Arsenal on their pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong – taking a rest following his Club World Cup involvement with the Blues – but is set to make his debut in the Emirates Cup next month.When asked what he thought of the negative reaction to Madueke’s move, Rice said: “I didn’t like it, if I’m speaking honestly. But I know how driven he is. He’s a really strong character.“I’ve spoken to him and you’re going to see what he’s about this season. He’s really, really proven. He wants to show everyone what he really can do. There’s a hunger inside his belly.“When you’re an attacking player and in your mind the first thought you have is to go past your defender, that’s an unbelievable trait to have.“He’s going to bring that to the squad along with the other wingers we have. Let’s be real, last year we hardly had any depth in any areas.“We played half the season pretty much with so many injuries, so to be able to rotate and push in different competitions with different players is going to be key for us.“I think he’s going to shock a lot of people and I can’t wait for him to come.”BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKRice formed a bond with Madueke during senior England camps, having previously interacted when they played for West Ham and Chelsea respectively.Rice continued: “I met him as a person with England and was blown away by his personality and character. I don’t think a lot of people would have him down as that. “But he’s one of those people who lifts the dressing room. He really cares about his football, has really high demands and that’s what shocked me about him.“Then seeing him up close on the training pitch, when he gets the ball he just wants to beat his man. He’s so positive and direct.“There’s been a lot of talk around his signing but as football players and players that have played with him, we know the quality he has and we’re really, really looking forward to having him come and play for us. It’s a really good signing for us.”Upon signing last week, Madueke was seen reading a letter written by Rice, which said: “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. Knowing you as a person and as a player, your arrival is going to be a big statement.“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, bro. Dec.”Rice explained: “When the club came to me and came up with the idea, I said I would love to write a letter for him. He messaged me about it saying that he really, really appreciates it.“It was just a nice little touch for him to join the club and feel welcome. When he signed, he had like 10 or 11 people with him. The excitement, it’s a good thing.“He’s hungry, he wants to play for Arsenal and that’s the type of player we want. Trust me when I say the boys are really looking forward to it.“People have been speaking internally, the players, the staff. We know the player that we’re getting and we’re really looking forward to having him at our club.“It’s going to be really exciting.”Meanwhile, Rice has also vowed to hit the ground running this season after admitting he was “nowhere near the levels” at the start of last term, struggling mentally to come to terms with the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 final defeat followed by only having 16 days off.The 26-year-old looked well rested and back to full fitness during a 66-minute cameo in Singapore as Arsenal beat AC Milan 1-0 on Wednesday, having played through the pain barrier at times last year with a broken toe.Rice – who scored seven goals in all competitions in 2025 – said: “It is the first time in a long time that I’m getting a full pre-season and I actually got a month off. It’s massive for me.GettyNoni Madueke scored more goals than any Chelsea winger last season[/caption]GettyMadueke came through the academy at Tottenham and has also played abroad with PSV[/caption]Mikel Arteta says he’s one of the best wingers in the Premier League“I’m putting really big demands on myself this year. I’m really trying to push myself because at the back-end of the season I finished really, really strong.“At the start of the season last year I was nowhere near the level that I require of myself. I put it down to a few things. The Euros final was mentally really tough.“Having 16 days off, going straight back into a Premier League season. It was really, really hard. It took me a few months to get going again but now I feel really fit, really strong.“I’m going to set myself some really good targets that I want to try and hit: more goals, more assists, impact the games more.“Not just do it at the back end of the season, do it in a full season. The best players in the world do that.“They want to try and push themselves and that’s what I’m trying to do and the manager is certainly on me to do that as well.”