Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah has remained with the club during the second half of the season but according to Ian Wright, he has plans to move out in the summer.
The Gunners have let Aubameyang leave last month while Folarin Balogun was also sent out on loan meaning Lacazette and Nketiah are the only two recognized centre-forwards at the club right now.
Despite Aubameyang being frozen out, Eddie Nketiah has really struggled for game time this season which is why he will likely find a new club next season, as per Wright.
The ex-Gunner said on the Wrighty’s House podcast: “Eddie, I haven’t seen enough with him coming off the bench looking hungry enough to challenge two strikers – Auba, who wasn’t in form, and Laca, who wasn’t scoring at the rate he’s been scoring.
“Eddie has been out on loan, he’s bridged that gap (compared to Balogun), he knows what it’s like to be away and scoring goals and I don’t know where his head was at in respect of did he see the opening? Did he see that there was an opening at a club of Arsenal’s size to step in and be the guy?
“When I watch Eddie, whether he came off the bench or whether he started, it didn’t look like it. Now, it looks like he wants to leave and he probably will, but there was a chance there!”
Arsenal have turned down approaches/opening proposals from Crystal Palace and Newcastle for Eddie Nketiah in the final days of the window. 🚫🏴 #AFC
He's currently out of contract in June – there are chances for Nketiah to sign a pre-contract with another club soon. pic.twitter.com/WhdgQgnVoa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2022
Will Arteta hand Eddie Nketiah a new contract?
Eddie Nketiah will move up the pecking order after Aubameyang’s departure but we don’t think his situation is going to get any better in the next few months.
Arsenal are not playing in Europe so they have a very limited number of matches to play and in most of those games, Lacazette or Martinelli is going to lead the line for the Gunners.
So far, Nketiah has played in only four Premier League games and at best, he could get a few more substitute appearances under his belt.
His current contract expires in the summer and there’s a very slim chance that Mikel Arteta will award him with a new deal. Alexandre Lacazette is also going to be a free agent in the summer and the Gunners are more than likely to give the Frenchman a new contract instead of holding onto Eddie Nketiah.
Personally, we don’t think either of them will get new deals since Arteta has plans to revive his attacking department but if the manager does not have a significant transfer budget then he’s more than likely to keep his faith in Lacazette.
Laca has moved up the pecking order at Arsenal in the previous few months and he’s scored three and assisted three goals in 16 Premier League games for the North London side this season. Most importantly, he’s very much a team player – a trait that is very endearing to Mikel Arteta.
