Eddie Nketiah has put an end to speculation over his Arsenal future by signing a five-year contract with the Emirates club.
Nketiah, who came up through the Gunners youth set-up and made his debut back in 2017, has penned a long-term deal that signifies Mikel Arteta’s intention to back the striker next season.
Leeds United, West Ham and Crystal Palace were all supposedly open to signing the striker had he become a free agent.
The 23-year-old has struggled for regular minutes under Arteta but has still managed 23 goals form 92 first-team appearances at Arsenal.
More on Arsenal FC
Wenger thinks 'kick-ins' will help kids enjoy football but cost is the real barrier17 June, 2022
Meet Fabio Vieira, the £34m playmaker set to join Arsenal after breakthrough year at Porto17 June, 2022
Fixtures reviewed: Arsenal to start fast, Man Utd's away-day blues, Liverpool's rotation worry16 June, 2022“I’m delighted Eddie is staying with us,” Arteta said. “He represents what we are all about and all the values of the club.
“We are very happy that he has extended his contract and now we have to get to work and continue to develop the great talent and person that we have in him.”
The new contract comes as Arsenal let Alexandre Lacazette leave the club for Lyon, who follows Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the Emirates less than six months after the Gabon striker departed for Barcelona.
It means Nketiah is one of just two recognised striker in Arsenal’s first team, with Folarin Balogun stepping up from the U23s.
The Londoner will also wear Arsenal’s iconic No 14 shirt next season made famous by Thierry Henry.
Discussing the deal, Arsenal technical director Edu said: “The foundations of this squad are built on young talent and in particular those who have come through our Academy system.
“Eddie was released by another club as a young man but has always shown he has the attitude as well as the ability to become a top player.
“The fact he’s signed a new contract is an important part of our squad planning for next season and we’re all delighted.”
Arteta must stick with Nketiah now
analysis by i sport reporter Joe Short
When Arsenal published their summer departure list at the end of the 2021-22 season, Eddie Nketiah’s name was on it. He was alongside Alexandre Lacazette and three youngsters from Arsenal’s U18s and U23s squad. All five were due to leave when their contracts expired – but only Nketiah’s name had the stipulation: “(contract offered, ongoing discussions)”.
Those ongoing discussions had gone on arguably too long. For a striker with Premier League experience and a love for the club, it seemed everyone but the Arsenal hierarchy was keen on Nketiah to stay in north London.
Yes, Arsenal would get a fee for the 23-year-old home-grown talent had he moved on a free transfer this summer, but replacing him would have cost millions.
Yet it was only during the last quarter of this season that Nketiah convinced Mikel Arteta he was worth keeping. Three months after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s frankly weird move to Barcelona, Nketiah finally got a stab at regular football in the Arsenal forward line and repaid Arteta’s newfound faith almost instantly, with five goals in eight starts, including his stunning double against Chelsea. Before then, he hadn’t managed a league goal all season.
That’s what a dose of confidence can do for a player of doubtless talent. But the next step is for the manager to retain that confidence. A slow start to next season and the question marks could swiftly be raised – and Arteta has form in dropping players at short notice, even when they’re playing well.
Arsenal may sign another striker in this transfer window but that cannot come at Nketiah’s expense.
The five-year contract is a show of faith from the club in an obvious talent at the Emirates. But now Arteta must stick to the plan and give his burgeoning striker time to shine.
from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/LcBH2yX
Post a Comment