Arsenal confirm Eddie Nketiah offered new contract as Martin Keown says striker deserves to stay, but Gunners will add ‘A-line’ forward amid Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison links
Arsenal have confirmed Eddie Nketiah has been offered a new contract at stay at the north London club, with negotiations ‘ongoing’.
The striker had a strong end to the 2021/22 season where he scored five goals in the last seven Premier League games.
The 23-year-old was out of contract at the end of the season, but the Gunners are keen to give him a new deal.
Mikel Arteta is facing the prospect of having little depth up front with Alexandre Lacazette leaving on a free transfer, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Barcelona in January.
On Friday, Arsenal posted the list of men’s and women’s players who are out of contract and let to leave the club at the end of June, with Lacazette and Nketiah’s names both on there.
Gunners legend Martin Keown has insisted the forward deserves to stay at the Emirates, but believes the club will have a top striker lined-up as Arteta looks to spend now the summer transfer window is official open.
When asked if Nketiah is worth the trouble, Keown told White and Jordan on talkSPORT: “For sure. You have to take players through the ranks. You want them to sign new deals
“I’m not sure he’s going to play. In an ideal world, Arsenal will have someone else, an A-line striker, they will bring in.
“Nketiah did really well at the end of last season, but to play every week?
“Arsenal need to strengthen in that area, you could argue that cost them a Champions League position.
“You saw what their near neighbours did in the transfer market at the same time.
“It’s always the challenge at the start of every pre-season. Secure the players you want and protect players and get those players signed up first.
“Arsenal will need to do both, of course.”
