Eddie Nketiah’s new contract at Arsenal has finally been announced.
The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract in North London.
At the end of the 2021-22 campaign, it was heavily rumoured that Arsenal would offer the Hale End hitman an extension.
Nketiah enjoyed an excellent end to the season which included five goals in his last seven Premier League outings.
Consequence of his form, the Gunners have tied him down and not only that, but gifted him the number 14 shirt.
This number was most recently worn by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and most famously by the iconic Thierry Henry, adding major pressure on the England Under-21 international.
And former Arsenal defender Perry Groves believes that it’s a ‘statement’ that Mikel Arteta has big plans for the player.
He told talkSPORT: “He’s taken the number 14 shirt. I would’ve thought they would’ve talked about it and Arteta probably offered it to him. And that’s another statement saying ‘you’re going to be one of my main players’.”
Eddie Nketiah’s new contract
It hasn’t gone down well with some supporters at Arsenal, giving him the 14 shirt.
Some have criticised the decision, prompting backlash from Gabriel Magalhaes and Ian Wright on social media, both of whom condemned fans who have taken a negative view on the situation.
Groves is right – Arteta would’ve offered him the number, rather than Nketiah demanding it, given its history.
Really, the player himself has done virtually nothing wrong and that’s what supporters need to remember.
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