Mikel Arteta believes the support Noni Madueke has had from Arsenal fans is the “fuel” behind his strong start.
Madueke left Chelsea to join Arsenal in the summer as part of a deal that could eventually be worth over £50million.
The move was originally met with a backlash online and over 5,000 people signed a petition which called for Arsenal not to sign the winger.
Madueke, however, received plenty of support from fans inside the stadium - and Arteta insists that has made all the difference.
“If anything it (the petition) gave me more conviction and more will to help him,” said Arteta.
“And do everything we possibly could to make his relationship work and to prepare everything around him in the best possible way.
“I think that lasted a short period of time and immediately we had complete the opposite reaction which I think he valued, respected and it was like fuel to him.
“It (the petition) did not affect him.”
Madueke is set to return to Chelsea on Sunday for the first time since he left them in the summer.
The winger injured his knee in September, but he is back fit and came off the bench to score against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
Madueke replaced Leandro Trossard - who is a doubt for the trip to Stamford Bridge - and could now start against Chelsea.
“I am very pleased with him since the day that he came with his attitude and what he has brought to the team,” said Arteta.
“He has brought another type of threat with his capacity to play on the right and the left. And his skillset is different to what we had and we saw that again on Wednesday.
“He started in one position and changed into another position. And being very, very efficient. It is great to have him back.”
