Mikel Arteta told Arsenal should have signed £60m star instead of Noni Madueke from Chelsea

Mikel Arteta has been told Arsenal bought the wrong player when they signed Noni Madueke from Chelsea.

Arsenal spent over £50m to sign England international Madueke from London rivals Chelsea.

A number of Arsenal fans were underwhelmed by the signing after Madueke blew hot and cold at Stamford Bridge, scoring 20 goals in 92 appearances.

Madueke started on the bench in Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Manchester United before coming on for the final half an hour.

Following his move to north London, the 23-year-old insisted he was desperate to ‘repay the faith shown in him’ by decision-makers at Arsenal.

But former Chelsea midfielder and ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha have questioned the signing of Madueke and believe Arsenal should have signed Eberechi Eze instead.

Arsenal expressed interest in the Crystal Palace star but their north London rivals Tottenham are closing in on a deal worth around £60m.

‘Why is Eze not going to Arsenal? Is it about money?’ Burley asked on ESPN.

‘I’m looking at Eze and Tottenham are a big club but they’re not winning anything this season…

‘I would have preferred Eze than Madueke. I look at Eze and those games that Arsenal play which are tight and they’re not at their best – there’s going to be a few of them this season if they’re going to win the league.

‘You need someone to unlock a defence and Eze is a player who can score goals, who can take players on under pressure and unlock a defence.

‘He would have been absolutely perfect for that squad but it looks like he’s going to Tottenham.’

Onuoha added: ‘Same, I totally agree. It’s disappointing in some ways in my mind because we’ve heard the link to Arsenal.

‘If Arsenal weren’t linked you wouldn’t think it because Spurs are in the Champions League and should be better this season.

‘Without that Arsenal link it doesn’t cross my mind. Spurs are a level about Palace but Eze has probably got another level above that and that’s why I’m a little bit disappointed it looks like that’s where he’s going.’

There was speculation Eze would miss Crystal Palace’s Premier League opener against Chelsea on Sunday as he closes in on a move to Spurs.

But the 27-year-old started the match and thought he had put Palace ahead with a powerful free-kick, only for the goal to be disallowed following a VAR check.

Eze applauded the travelling fans after the Stamford Bridge stalemate, with many wondering whether he was bidding farewell to the Crystal Palace supporters.

If Eze moves to Tottenham in the coming days, he could make his Spurs debut on Saturday in the huge Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The north London side produced an impressive performance in Thomas Frank’s second game in charge to beat Burnley 3-0 in their Premier League opener.

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