Rio Ferdinand gives Arsenal transfer verdict after Mikel Arteta's decision to splash cash

Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has thrown his support behind Mikel Arteta's hefty £48.5 million signing of Noni Madueke.

The 23-year-old made the switch from Chelsea to Arsenal last month, andwhile the player himself was happy with the move, it sparked a polarising response among Gunners fans.

While a section of the Arsenal faithful extended a warm welcome to Madueke, there was a pocket of discontent that even led to an online campaign titled #NOTOMADUEKE.

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While many other supporters condemned the petition, it ultimately gathered thousands of signatures as some fans seemed opposed to the club seeking out another winger before locking down a new striker. Since Madueke joined the club, Arsenal have also secured the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP in a £63.7 million deal.

Discussing Arsenal's summer acquisitions with pod colleague Joel Beya, on the ex-United defender's podcast, , Ferdinand praised the signing of Madueke. He also claimed the player was a victim of circumstance by simply coming in through the door before Gyokeres did.

"[Martin] Zubimendi has come in, you lost Thomas Partey (released), Jorginho (signed for Flamengo) gone, that's two midfielders you've there. [Kieran, joined Celtic] Tierney, [Nuno, joined Lazio] Tavares gone... a lot was made about Madueke as well," Ferdinand said.

"I think he's a good signing, he's a little bit off the cuff. He gives you something different, and I know what people are saying, yes it's Chelsea, and you've done a lot of business that's not gone so well with Chelsea, and two, [the Arsenal] fanbase wanted a number nine.

"So if you had signed Gyokeres before Madueke, I don't think people are shouting as much." Ferdinand added: "I think Madueke has got a high ceiling. I think he can go places, do well. I think he's a really good addition."

Discussing just where Madueke, a winger who can operate on both flanks, will fit into Arteta's plans, Ferdinand believes he can operate as an understudy for Bukayo Saka and challenge Gabriel Martinelli on the left.

"Now [Arsenal] have got a number nine, Madueke on the left makes sense," he said. "Because he can go on the outside and cross the ball, you've got a number nine with presence in the box who can finish things off so I think it makes sense in many ways now. I think there's a clearer playing style at Arsenal that might suit him."

While Ferdinand praised Arsenal's successful signing of Gyokeres, he did caution about the Swede's record in Portugal, hinting at his tendency to perform better against weaker opposition.

Gyokeres bagged the golden boot in the Primeira Liga last term, netting 39 goals and propelling Sporting to back-to-back titles. Yet, his tally against rivals Benfica, Porto, Braga, and Santa Clara was a mere two goals in eight matches.

"That would be a flag for me," Ferdinand said on Gyokeres' performance against the league's leading sides. "I don't think it would determine if I'd take him, but it would be something where I'd go, 'Let me just look back further down the line' - and then what's the reason?

"There are question marks, but I just feel, for Arsenal, he's going to get so many more looks on goal, I don't think it's a big gamble for Arsenal. As long as he doesn't go looking for football outside the box too much. Stay in and around the penalty box and the ball will come."