Mikel Arteta is slowly managing to change a lot of things at Arsenal Football Club following his arrival, which has been demonstrated in his open and honest conversations when being interviewed.Â
In his latest comments, the Spaniard has suggested that Arsenal have already found their next long-term striker, who could be set to replace the spot of one of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang or Alex Lacazette.
Arsenal’s high-flying pair are going to be tough to hold on to given the likelihood of no European football and the financial pressures facing the club following the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Brighton on Saturday, Arteta has stressed how impressed he has been with Eddie Nketiah, who has been a regular in the team following his loan recall from Leeds United in January.
I WANT HIM TO KEEP DOING WHAt HE’S DOING. THE WAY HE PLAYED AGAINST THOSE PLAYERS (MAN CITY), IN THOSE DIFFICULT CONDITIONS, FOR ME IS EXTRAORDINARY AT HIS AGE.
HE HAS AN IMMENSE PERSONALITY TO PLAY, CONFIDENCE, HE’S POWERFUL AND IS DEVELOPING IN EVERY AREA I THINK. I HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN HIM.
Now this may not be the superstar name we all hope to have at our football club, but at 21 years of age, Nketiah has already demonstrated what he can offer the senior team.
In the 666 minutes he’s played for the club this season, he’s already bagged himself five goals from eight appearances, all of which came from him starting the match.
With the youngster also keeping Lacazette out of the side since Arteta arrived, these latest quotes seem to point to Arsenal putting their trust in the Englishman next season.
Rumours have circled recently of Lacazette being included in some sort of swap deal for Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey, which would free up some cash to lay down a significant contract extension that could convince Aubameyang to sign his commitment to the club.
We’re likely to see Nketiah named in the starting XI against Brighton this weekend, and following a performance against City where he held his own, he’ll be itching to latch on to a few more chances in the South!