Eddie Nketiah appears closer to an Arsenal exit than signing an extension to his current contract.
However, in football, you can never say never and it seems Arsenal retains some hope that he would choose to stay.
The attacker is a record-breaking goalscorer for the England youth national team, however, he has struggled to replicate that form at Arsenal consistently.
But his form in the Carabao Cup this season has been impressive and Transfermarketweb reports that Arsenal wants him to sign a new deal.
The report claims the Gunners have a three-year deal on the table for him, but Nketiah is unhappy at his playing time at the Emirates and will only sign a contract extension if that will change.
Just Arsenal Opinion
It seems the reason Arsenal wants Nketiah to stay is that he is still very young at 22.
It would be somewhat embarrassing if he leaves the Emirates and starts shining at another club.
However, the striker might be better off leaving because he had more than enough chances to win a regular first-team spot at the Emirates, but he never took them.
Arsenal has been thriving without him in the team for league matches and that means we would still do well when he is gone.
It’s best for us to sign a new striker that Mikel Arteta is convinced would fit into his system and score the goals we need.
There is a reasonable case to keep him.
1. Good enough for Pre season, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, EL. On average that would be 18 games and then also PL cover/rotation.
2. Another season won’t hurt and if he does want a move we should get 15m at least in an improved market.
3. Even if it does not work out 50k p/w for a home grown player is cheap these days.
Still if the club let him go it makes sense too.
He is a good player, Arsenal must keep him. Agreed, he has had games to play and did not take his chances. but so many top strikers do not do well in 1-2 seasons and than start flourishing. He is home grown and that is a added advantage.
Sell Nketiah, or it’s the same old, same old. He is not of the standard. We kept players like Mustafi and others who made us 3rd grade. Keep players like Saliba who could turn us into a decent team. Arteta has an inner demon that is his ego, and that wants to get rid of Saliba and Guendouzi, and maybe even Martinelli (no real substantive minute)s. We are selling good players like Mavropanos and then keep bog standard players like Xhaka, Elneny, Kolasinac, Mari. Such a shame to see my team wallowing for season after season.