3 positives of Eddie Nketiah’s Arsenal contract extension

And so Mikel Arteta’s calls have finally been answered.

Following a gruelling negotiation period that dragged on for months on end, and at one point seemed destined to conclude in the termination of a seven-year association, speculation can now be dialled down as news emerges that Eddie Nketiah is ready to commit his long-term future to Arsenal.

Agreement on a reported wage of £100,000-per-week is something many onlookers will baulk at, especially as, despite a strong end to the campaign, the player is yet to truly establish himself in the first team.

3 reasons to be positive as Eddie Nketiah finally agrees to extend his stay at Arsenal

However, there are plenty of positives to outweigh any apprehension, and on that note here are three reasons to be enthused by this impending contract extension.

1. A promising forward with a bright future

The obvious perk of this new deal relates to what the player brings to the table, and Nketiah is an exciting talent who boasts a wide-ranging skillset.

The 22-year-old meets traditional forward requirements with his striker’s instinct to always be in the right place at the right time and deliver the clinical touch when inside the box. However, he is also nimble, can operate as a focal point to relieve pressure and works tirelessly off the ball to stretch opposition defences.

He’s still in the early stages of his career and therefore has areas of his game that can be improved upon, such as making better use of his height and developing into a more physical outlet, but he is certainly a multi-faceted attacker who has what it takes to become a key figure for the club.

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2. Improved strength-in-depth for the Europa League & new substitution rule

Next season marks Arsenal’s return to the European stage after a year-long absence and, as it coincides with the reintroduction of the five-substitutes rule to the Premier League, both the extra matches and scope for greater tactical flexibility will make Nketiah an intriguing option.

An appetite for regular first-team football has often been cited as one of the youngster’s primary motivations for seeking a move away from the Emirates, and continental competition will help to facilitate this demand as good-quality squad depth will be more important than ever in coping with quick midweek turnarounds.

Meanwhile, extra substitutions afford ample opportunity for rotation and will perhaps allow managers to be more creative in their efforts to change and control games, which could see our number 30 become an ace in the pack over the forthcoming campaign.

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3. Contract extension frees up precious transfer funds

It remains unclear to what extent Arsenal intend on improving their frontline this summer, as well as how contingent any activity is on potential outgoings. But in any case, Nketiah’s renewal likely reduces our need to add two strikers to the setup and could make funds available for other pressing issues in the squad.

Reports from various sources indicate the Gunners want to address several departments in the upcoming window, including the left-sided centre-back position, central midfield and possibly a left-back to compete with the perennially-injured Kieran Tierney, in addition to at least one forward. This level of business is expected to cost close to £200 million and would be the most significant outlay in the club’s history (in one window).

Therefore, while a new contract should always be driven by football interests rather than economic frugality, tying down the Hale End star to a five-year deal still strengthens our offensive reserves ahead of the new season, along with the additional benefit of enabling moves for other much-needed targets.