Mikel Arteta comments on Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah’s future after return from Leeds

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Mikel Arteta has been quoted by Arsenal’s official website as saying that he will hold talks with striker Eddie Nketiah to discuss the youngster’s future, after he returned to Arsenal from Leeds United.

Nketiah, 20, joined Leeds in the summer from Arsenal on a season-long loan but he has struggled to fight his way past Patrick Bamford into the starting line-up. Marcelo Bielsa’s tactical stubbornness has seen Bamford continue to act as the number one.

Though England Under-21 international Nketiah made 19 appearances for Leeds in all competitions, only four came from the off – two of which were in the league. He scored five goals in his time at Elland Road.

Arsenal, though, have decided to cut his loan short which has seen the striker return to north London halfway through his original loan. Arteta gave an update on his future and an insight on how The Gunners plan to use him.

“We have to sit down with the loan department and we’ll do that this afternoon, to discuss the best possible way for him to keep developing,” Arteta said. What’s the best thing to do? We have to sit down with him, hear from him – that’s very important because we need to know what he needs as well – and make the right decision for the next five months.

“I have to speak with him. I think the first idea was that he was going to be on loan for the rest of the season. We have to assess the situation again now. At the moment [I don’t know] but I will have some answers very soon.”

TBR’s view – Loan, permanent exit or stick it out at Arsenal?

What is Nketiah’s best move? Remaining at Arsenal beyond this window would see Nketiah compete with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazatte and Gabriel Martinelli to play up front. It makes Nketiah fourth choice.

A permanent exit would see his dream – one that certainly has a chance of happening – of becoming Arsenal’s main man instantly diminish. He should not give up on that just yet, and Arsenal should not want him to either.

Another loan, perhaps abroad or to a club in the Championship where he is guaranteed to be a regular, is his best move.