3 reasons Arsenal shouldn't give Nketiah a new deal

3 reasons Arsenal shouldn’t give Eddie Nketiah a new deal

Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah reacts after missing to score during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the London Stadium, in London on May 1, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 23: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on April 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

3. If Nketiah Stays He Has to Play Every Week

There is a reason that this discussion is ongoing in the first place. Nketiah has turned down more than one contract offer from Arsenal. He wants assurances of minutes.

"“Obviously there have been talks and offers of a new [Arsenal] contract but at the moment my aim is to play football and play regularly,” Nketiah told TBG Podcast. “That is my ambition and that is what I hope to do. “For me, I feel like I am at this stage where I am thinking I signed a contract for five years when I was 18, and in that five years how many starts have I had? I have probably started about 30 games in all competitions. “People start 30 games in one season, you know?”"

It’s been floated about, somewhat understandably, that Nketiah should be kept on to be the backup striker at Arsenal. Not wanting to be the backup striker is exactly why we are looking at the final four games of his career in north London.

The club should have sold him way earlier, but that’s a different matter.

Keeping Nketiah on only implies that he is the leading man. If that is the case then it completely changes the profile of player the club go out to sign. The idea of having ‘backups’ needs to be gone and with all the water under the bridge in regards to Nketiah, any other incoming striker will think twice as they’ll be aware of the situation. If Nketiah signs, their place in the team isn’t certain because the demands of the 22-year-old have been made plainly clear.

But on a more personable note, unrelated to Arsenal’s position, for the sake of his career it makes sense for Nketiah to leave. While contracts at Arsenal are not easy to come by (anymore), he aspires to be the number one and with the host of clubs vying for his signature there is the chance at a fresh start; a new chapter in his career.

Next. Arsenal: All, or nothing?. dark

Wherever he goes he will have a great career. Perhaps not an incredible one, but certainly a productive one. Go out and enjoy yourself somewhere you can rock the No. 9 shirt every week, Eddie.

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