Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he’ll hold talks with returning striker Eddie Nketiah, according to reports in Metro.
The 20-year-old was on loan at Leeds United but was recalled by the North London club owing to the limited playing time that was being afforded to the striker even though he was among the goals.
After the Gunners 2-0 win over Manchester United, Arteta confirmed he would speak to the head of football Raul Sanllehi and technical director Edu about what happens next. As per Metro, he said:
“I’m having a meeting tomorrow with Edu and Raul to go through all the loans and situations. I know he’s [Nketiah] coming tomorrow so I will speak to him and we will try to make the best decision for him.”
Nketiah has already shown he has that knack of scoring goals. It will be a big show of faith by the club if they do decide on keeping the youngster at the club for the rest of the season.
He will be able to reduce the burden on the shoulders of senior forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Having a player like Nketiah will make it easier for them to focus on their own game.
Arsenal began the new decade on the right note as they emerged 2-0 winners against fierce rivals Manchester United. More than the win, it was the manner in which it was achieved that would have made fans happy.
It is important to sort out the future of young players as soon as possible as they would like to have some clarity going forward. Nketiah’s spell at Leeds would have certainly helped as he found himself in a new environment.
Playing under a manager such as Marcelo Bielsa would have added to his football education. If he is able to start scoring for the first team, it will be a victory for the Arsenal youth system. And from what we have seen of him so far, he is definitely capable of doing that. Nketiah will be excited and raring to go in the new year and we will know where he will be very soon.
