The reaction of certain sections of Arsenal’s fanbase to the signing of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has been ‘really horrible’, football content creator Joel Beya has told the Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast.

Beya, an Arsenal fan who co-hosts the VIBE with Five podcast with Rio Ferdinand, said criticism of the 23-year-old England international has gone too far, particularly in a country that supposedly ‘cares about players’ mental health’.

Madueke is set to complete a medical with the Gunners ahead of a £52million move across London.

‘Would Madueke be my first choice? Probably not’, Beya told co-host Mark Clattenburg.

‘I understand why fans aren’t too happy, we’re paying £50million for him. But, I do not stand with those people making petitions – and being really horrible.

‘We’re a country that says we care about mental health, that kind of thing could really destroy somebody.

The reaction of certain sections of Arsenal ‘s fanbase to the signing of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has been ‘really horrible’, football content creator Joel Beya has said

Beya, an Arsenal fan who co-hosts the VIBE with Five podcast with Rio Ferdinand, said criticism of the 23-year-old England international has gone too far

The winger joins a long line of players switching blue for red in recent years, with Arsenal signing Willian, Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling from Chelsea in the last five seasons

‘It’s not the player’s fault he has been bought for that much, plus once he puts that shirt on, as fans, we have to support him.’

Madueke scored seven and assisted three in 32 Premier League appearances last season.

Some Arsenal fans have questioned the wisdom of spending a healthy portion of their transfer budget on a player with similar output to their current left winger Gabriel Martinelli, who managed eight goals and four assists.

The winger joins a long line of players switching blue for red in recent years, with Arsenal signing Willian, Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling from Chelsea in the last five seasons.

Beya cautioned that Arsenal, as the ‘dominant team in the league’, should avoid strengthening a potential title rival like Chelsea by paying an inflated transfer fee.

He said: ‘You do not want to be funding your rivals. Chelsea’s squad is serious – as much as we banter around.

‘That team has great potential, especially with Cole Palmer – who I will openly admit is my favourite player in the league.

Beya cautioned that Arsenal, as the ‘dominant team in the league’, should avoid strengthening a potential title rival like Chelsea by paying an inflated transfer fee

Co-host and broadcaster Gordon Smart asked Beya which realistic signings would make him feel confident as an Arsenal fan going into next season

‘They’re a fanatic selling club and Arsenal need to start treating them more as rivals.’

Whislteblowers co-host and broadcaster Gordon Smart asked Beya which realistic signings would make him feel confident as an Arsenal fan going into next season.

‘It has to be Rodrygo’, Beya responded.

‘We’ve already got Viktor Gyokeres – I think Rodrygo saves Arteta his job.’

With Liverpool making moves to sign Swedish striker Alexander Isak, Beya was also asked why Arsenal aren’t pursuing the prolific forward.

He argued that Liverpool’s more organised approach to transfers allows the Merseyside club to execute bigger deals.

He said: ‘If you see the way Liverpool go about business in comparison to Arsenal, are you surprised Isak would rather go to them?

‘If I am a player looking at that project from the outside, Liverpool looks very organised. They’ve got their targets. They’re just missing the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle, why wouldn’t you go to them?

‘It feels like we’ve been rebuilding for far too long.’

To hear the full interview and discover why Mark Clattenburg believes Roy Keane is a ‘big baby’, search for Whistleblowers wherever you get your podcasts.