MISGUIDED ‘fans’ who set up that now infamous online petition to protest against the arrival of Noni Madueke from London rivals Chelsea were made to eat their words this weekend after another superb display in red and white from the talented 23-year-old.

The lively Madueke helped the Gunners ease past underwhelming Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Saturday lunchtime to send Mikel Arteta’s side to the top of the fledgling Premier League table ahead of Sunday’s fixtures.

While two-goal hero Martin Zubimendi rightly earned plaudits for the quality of his display, along with Viktor Gyokeres’s early second half goal that was assisted by another new boy Eberechi Eze, sandwiched as it was between the pair from the former Real Sociedad technician, it was Madueke who also had Arteta and the fans purring.

With Zubimendi emphasising the excellence, and variety of his compelling brace — the first an exquisitely timed and perfectly executed long range volley, the second a rather surprising muscular header from substitute Leo Trossard’s late cross — along with Gyokeres’s predatory instinct, it was Madueke that had the home crowd chanting his name with his impish performance.

Buoyed by two impressive performances for Thomas Tuchel’s England, including a goal during the 5-0 rout of Serbia in Belgrade, Madueke tormented the Forest backline with a lively display that also showed the strength in depth of this current Arsenal team.

With Martin Odegaard having to leave the field after only 17 minutes with what appeared to be a recurrence of his shoulder issue, joining the injury list that already includes Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus, the Gunners shrugged off such depletions by simply being too good for Ange Postecoglou’s Forest, handing a deserved defeat to the former Spurs boss.

Speaking after the match, Arteta was quick to praise Madueke, outlining what the £48m signing from Stamford Bridge brings to the north Londoners.

When asked what Madueke has brought to the squad, Arteta replied immediately: “A lot of courage, that’s how I describe him. A lot of quality but a lot of courage.

“When we were about to sign him and there was that reaction around him [the petition] I spoke to him and he was like: ‘I go for it, I cannot wait to put that shirt on and play for you guys.’ I said, wow, let’s bring him. If I was convinced before, I’m more convinced now that he’s going to do it.”

Arteta added: “He’s very skilful, very unpredictable, he’s so willing to learn and he brings joy.

“I look at him and he’s always smiling, he’s always trying things. He gets one wrong, he goes again and that’s what I love about the creative players because you need that to be successful.”

Such a ringing endorsement from the Arsenal boss also helped to underline the ignorance of those who hatefully organised such an ill-advised petition, thereby helping to add distance to those who embarrassed the club they profess to love, not to mention whose misguided actions mortified the silent majority of most fair-minded Arsenal supporters.

As for Postecoglou’s underwhelming Forest side, that saw Gunners fans gleefully chant with deep irony: “You’re getting sacked in the morning,” the Australian reflected after the match: “They’re a good side [Arsenal] but it’s still disappointing when you lose. The second goal took it away from us, but I can’t fault the players in terms of their endeavour and their effort.

“It’s been a disruptive week for them and they’re human beings, which you have to take into context. We’re disappointed with the outcome, but you can’t fault the effort of the players.”

While Forest now face a challenging trip to south Wales to face Swansea City in the third round of the League Cup, as Postecoglou attempts to mould the squad in his image, following the departure of the embattled Nuno Espirito Santo, next stop will be Bilbao for Arteta’s powerful side that is fast adding momentum.

The Champions League clash against Athletic Club promises to be a mouth-watering prospect in the evocative Basque country — not least because of the prospect of another joyful performance from Madueke.