Despite the fact he was widely expected to go out on loan again having been recalled from Leeds at the start of January, it now appears as if Eddie Nketiah will stay at Arsenal for the rest of this season.
That’s according to David Ornstein in The Athletic, and a similar report in the Telegraph this evening.
Apparently the 20 year old has impressed Mikel Arteta in training, and the manager has decided to keep him to add depth to a squad which still has to compete in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.
The news will come as a blow to the likes of Bristol City who were hoping to add the striker to their squad to help their push for the play-offs in the Championship, but it seems that Nketiah will be afforded chances to play at Arsenal.
Speaking on Saturday after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s red card, Arteta seemed to play down suggestions he’d hang onto him, saying, “We have to think long term with Eddie.
“We have to respect his evolution, his development and we don’t have to make decisions just based on two or three games.”
With that in mind, the Arsenal boss must feel like the best place for him to develop is at the club, and he’s not going to do that without some playing time, so chances are we’ll see him feature over the coming weeks and months.
Eddy and Martinelli could be fun!
Pool had SAS. Barca had MSN.
We could have MNOP. And if we add Laca then LMNOP.
Isn’t Martinelli possibly off to the Olympic qualifying tournament? Might have something to do with that. Can see Eddie getting minutes in the FA Cup.
Nope, Martinelli is not going to Olympic qualifiers. He was considered but not selected by Brazilian officials.
Thank God for that!
Good. He shouldn’t have been loaned in the first place. He should have gotten at least 20 starts + sub appearences through the whole season with the right rotation.
Jumping to wild conclusions but Oh God please Laca don”t leave!!
Hope he does. Man always dips when we need him.
Last season ending run in and the Europa final.
So why was he voted player of the year?
Hope this don’t meant we are letting lacca or Aubameyang go ??
LANS! (sorry…)
Or maybe Laca is leaving?
Eddy and Martinelli could become a handful
The best news
I like this idea. He’s well regarded and with the right manager could really blossom. We won’t know his worth without playing him and we need extra bodies. Just imagine though, a lively front line with saka martinelli and nketiah
I love Lacazette, particularly his work rate, but I’ve felt for awhile, that if we get a decent enough offer? He’ll be off.
Suarez has a big injury, and Atletico Madrid are reportedly sniffing round for a No9.
Also I think that Aubameyang out-wide, unbalances us.
We have Aubameyang, Lacazette, Martinelli, Nketiah as potential No9s.
There’s not much value in keeping Nketiah, unless he’s going to play…..
While Laca work rate is quite exceptional he is technically limited. He has good shot and great on holding off and shooting. But the boy he is so average on hold up play and passing. He can’t bring other players into play. Auba isn’t great I’m that department but his goal returns are too good to pass up. I feel like a move for Laca can be good for both him and Arsenal provided that Arsenal gets a big payout
Every time I see Eddie I think of Marlo (from the Wire). Is it just me or do they look a lot like each other?? Anyway excited about what this guy can bring to the team..whether its in the 2nd half of this season, or next year.. he’s got a bright future.
My name is my name!
There are stories about Atletico Madrid bidding for Laca if they couldn’t get Cavani. Could that be the motive for not loaning Eddie? Mind you, swaping Laca for Gimenez or Partey (give or take a couple of millions) wouldn’t be a terrible idea. We can reinforce a critical area on the team and Auba could finally play through the middle.
I’d swap Lacazette for Gimenez without an hesitation, but unfortunately don’t see that happening.
Reportedly, Partey was part of our summer transfer plans, had we managed to secure the top 4 spot and get some of that sweet, sweet CL money.
Wouldn’t mind us going back for him again come summer. He’s a very impressive player, but he’d propably cost even more than he did last summer…
Give Eddie a 3-game audition and see how he does.
The window will still be open for a couple days after the FA Cup tie. We could still loan him then if it looks like Eddie Nketty still isn’t ready.
If he plays for us he cannot play for any other team this season. The rules state that a player can only play for a maximum of two teams in one season.
Martinelli going to Olympics might be the cause for this turnaround. Or we want a lot more dough for the loan