Martin Keown has told Stadium Astro that there is no way Arsenal can let Eddie Nketiah leave in the summer – after his brace against Chelsea on Wednesday night. The striker is out of contract come the end of the season.
Nketiah, 23, was handed only his second Premier League start of the season at Stamford Bridge – a player that had come through the Chelsea academy until Arsenal nabbed the £45,000-a-week (Spotrac) man at Under-14 level.
The Gunners were superb and recorded a much-needed win in the race for the top four. It sees Arsenal go level on points with fourth-placed Spurs, with only goal difference separating the two North London rivals.
Asked about a new striker in the summer and the possibility Arsenal keep Nketiah, Keown said there is no way the Gunners can let him go after his brace at Chelsea. He says Nketiah could be the striker they are looking for.
“Well, there’s no way he’s leaving after that kind of performance. He’s been extremely patient, he went out on loan to Leeds. He’s come back, the manager has explained he has not been fair,” Keown told Stadium Astro.
“Got his chance, boy did he take it. He would have dreamt of this. Arsenal will look to buy, but we know Nketiah can come in. Nobody wants to play second fiddle, maybe he can go on to emulate Arsenal’s best strikers.”
Keown on Nketiah: Could Arsenal chance convince him to stay?
Nketiah told TBG Podcast this week that Arsenal want him to sign a new deal, but that he is reluctant to put pen to paper as he wants regular game time. Little surprise, after just two league starts during this campaign.
Even Mikel Arteta admitted he has not been given the game time he deserves. His brace might convince Arteta to start him against Manchester United – and in turn, a run of games might tempt Nketiah to sign on.
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