Arteta admits to concerning situation as he lays out plan for exit-linked Arsenal star

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that he wants striker Eddie Nketiah to stay following his display against Leeds.

The 22-year-old netted the second of the Gunners’ 2-0 Carabao Cup win over the Whites at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. The Gunners joined Chelsea and Sunderland in the quarter-finals, ahead of Wednesday’s other ties.

While it was another win for Arsenal to continue their recent good form, it was also a crucial evening for Nketiah.

The England Under-21 international was making only his third appearance of the season as he struggles for game time. However, he netted his second goal in as many Carabao Cup appearances.

Amid his lack of match action, Nketiah’s contract situation is also a concern. He is into the final year of his deal but has yet to extend.

Reports have linked Leeds, Brentford and Aston Villa with transfer interest. Arteta, though, has insisted that he wants the player to sign fresh terms with the Gunners.

“We had a situation in the summer that we tried to resolve and we couldn’t either way,” the manager told Metro. “That’s the contract situation.

“It’s more and more common in football with where we are coming from with COVID and a lot of the issues that we have to resolve.

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“I have full belief that he’s going to be a top, top player and hopefully at Arsenal.

“I’m so happy to have him in the team. He’s our player and I consider him and regard him really highly. From my side I want him to stay.”

Nketiah currently sits behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Gabriel Martinelli in the Arsenal pecking order. But Lacazette is also in the final year of his deal and could leave.

 Arsenal goalscorer reveals delight

Calum Chambers got the opening goal for Arsenal, only 23 seconds after coming on.

When asked about the moment, he replied: “It was good, it was a nice moment. I was pretty confident it went over [the line] so I was just waiting for him to give it.

“He [Arteta] told us to keep going, play the way we want, it’s always hard against Leeds, they play in a very unique way, we stood up to the test and came away with the win.”

Arsenal return to action on Saturday when facing Leicester in the Premier League.

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