It is now looking highly likely that Eddie Nketiah will be leaving The Emirates on loan within the next 36 hours and all things considered, it is good for him and good for Arsenal.
Nketiah did have a decent pre-season, the fans were singing his name but it was clear that he is still a rough diamond and does need more development and the best way to do that is with regular competitive football.
The brutal truth is that the 20-year-old is still not at the level that is required at Arsenal and his opportunities will be very limited with so many other forwards already at the club.
Arsenal will be competing on four fronts but with Gabriel Martinelli, Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka as well as the established front three of Aubameyang, Pepe and Lacazette all in the mix that is more than enough for the club to rotate with.
A year on loan will, hopefully, do Nketiah the world of good and when he does return to Arsenal he will be better for it. It does not mean he is not wanted or does not have a bright future with us, it just means that he is still a work in progress and if a Championship club can give him more opportunities to hone his undoubted skills then that is to both his and Arsenal’s advantage.