Mikel Arteta optimistic of extending Eddie Nketiah’s Arsenal contract
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that the club are continuing discussions with Eddie Nketiah to convince him over a new deal.
The Gunners graduate has entered the final six months of his contract. He recently snubbed an offer to renew.
This has led to speculation that he could be sold this month, but Arteta has insisted that negotiations are ongoing over a possible extension.
He told football.london: “I already spoke about Eddie, the intentions of the club and where we are.”
“He is with us, every day he shows me and the club he wants to stay with us and we will keep having those discussions with him.”
Our view:
Nketiah was fancied to make a big impression with the club following his productive loan stint at Leeds United.
However, he has not been able to nail down a regular starting role with the fierce competition for places.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have been Arteta’s regular picks to lead the attack.
Aubameyang is now out-of-favour, but that has not improved the playing time for the 22-year-old.
Lacazette has led the line in the last five league games with Nketiah managing just eight minutes off the bench.
Nketiah’s only start came in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Sunderland where he bagged his maiden hat-trick.
There are no surprises that he wants to move on, particularly with the Gunners having their sights on a new signing.
As things stand, Nketiah has not changed his stance, and could be sold before the transfer deadline.
Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace appear front-runners to sign him on a cut-price deal.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Read: Arsenal in strongest position to sign Dusan Vlahovic this month.
These youngsters need to realise that playing regularly for a big club comes with time and patience. Except you are an exceptional talent, you can’t just jump into the first team overnight
Arsenal are doing very well in giving their academy products and other young players the opportunity to play and develop their careers
Nkettia should be advised to give his Arsenal career a chance by extending his contract with the club