EXCLUSIVE: Alan Smith insists 'proper' Arsenal fans will get behind Madueke

Arsenal title winner Alan Smith insists Noni Madueke will prove a shrewd summer signing by manager Mikel Arteta.

The arrival of the former Chelsea winger has been met by protests from Arsenal fans and criticism for Arteta.

Indeed, Smith's former Gunners teammate, Paul Merson, said the deal left him "flabbergasted."

But in response, Smith told Tribal Football: "I haven't heard Merson's reasons for that. I mean it came as a bit of a surprise in a way.

"I thought his form was consistent and he's of an age where he hopefully will only get better under Arteta, who is a very good coach, let's make no mistake. He can improve players, and he normally does.

"He can play both flanks, so that's a great option to give (Bukayo) Saka a rest at times, to offer an option to (Gabriel) Martinelli, who's been a bit up and down.

"So yeah, I don't go along with this. You know what? You could argue about the price tag (£52m), but I mean, everybody who's half decent costs a fortune, don't they? Yeah, hopefully it'll be a good signing."

Proper Arsenal fans will back Madueke

Asked about the angry reaction from a section of the Arsenal support, Smith admits it left him baffled.

He continued: "I don't get it. I don't get it. You've got to trust in your club and the experts. You know, these people are looking deeply into the stats, the underlying stats and all the rest of it. They're not just, you know, picking somebody out of a hat.

"Professional people, they all got their jobs. There's always an element of risk with any signing. But Madueke's experience now in the Premier League, yeah, once he pulls on the shirt, you know, the proper Arsenal fans will get behind him.

"There's an element with social media, there's always something that can pop, and so hopefully you can prove them wrong."

Alan Smith was speaking to Tribalfootball on behalf of William Hill