Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta has addressed recent rumours about Eddie Nketiah’s future.
The striker is out of contract in the summer, and with this January window representing what could be the Gunners’ last chance to cash-in on the striker, speculation about his future has been rife.
Newcastle United have been strongly linked as they look for a striker to replace the injured Callum Wilson, while Crystal Palace have held a long-term interest in the 22-year-old.
However, despite all of this interest and a contract that is ticking down, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Nketiah will not be leaving Arsenal this month.
What’s been said about Nketiah?
Arteta set the record straight on the striker.
“The situation is that Eddie is our player and Eddie is going to stay here with us,” Arteta said.
The manager was asked about the striker again later in his press conference.
“He’s our player and he’s under contract, so he will stay with us.”
Summer move on the cards
Nketiah may not be leaving Arsenal this month, but it seems as though a summer move will be on the cards.
The striker’s contract is up, and it looks as though he’ll be on his way out of the Emirates, reportedly making his intention to leave the club rather clear in recent months.
We can’t really blame Nketiah for wanting to go. After all, he’s very rarely played for the first-team in recent times, despite the fact he’s been called ‘extraordinary’ by his manager in the past.
It will be interesting to see where the striker ends up. By the time the summer rolls around Newcastle may be shopping for bigger names, but perhaps Palace will once again go in for the England U21s all-time record goalscorer.
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