Emery sends message to Bielsa as Nketiah voices Leeds concerns

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has sent a message to on-loan striker Eddie Nketiah and Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa over the star’s growing frustration.

The Gunners chief has assured Nketiah that his time will come at Elland Road after the England Under-21 prospect voiced concern over a lack of starts at the Championship promotion hopefuls.

Nketiah said earlier this week that he is “disappointed” with the limited opportunities afforded to him by Marcelo Bielsa.

Despite being Leeds’ joint-top goalscorer and averaging a goal every 72 minutes for club and country this season, he is yet to start a game in the Championship  – although he did replace Patrick Bamford at half-time in Saturday’s win over Birmingham.

Arsenal had expected more opportunities to be given to Nketiah, but are yet to hold formal talks with Leeds or their player over activating a recall clause in January.

However the Gunners are keeping a keen eye on his progress and football.london reports that ‘managing director Vinai Venkatesham, chief negotiator Huss Fahmy and loans manager Ben Knapper all travelled to Yorkshire recently to check in on Nketiah’s progress’.

 

But when given the opportunity, Nketiah continues to find the net on a regular basis, scoring four goals for Leeds so far and adding a hat-trick for England U-21s in midweek.

And Emery is convinced that the 20-year-old will get a run of games soon, not worrying about the player’s long-term future for the time being.

He said: “Now is not the moment. We are in October. He’s now on loan at Leeds.

“I respect his coach, his decision and I think he’s going to play more. He’s going to deserve it.

“Each match he is playing with his national team, with Leeds is very important for him and for Arsenal. Our way with him is to give him the possibility going on loan to play and to take confidence, rhythm and experience to use in the future for us.

“He is doing that. He is playing less than we want but I am sure he is going to play more.”

Should the Gunners opt to recall Nketiah in January then they will not be short on takers, with Bristol City among a host of Championship clubs also keen on the forward.