TalkSPORT pundit predicts Eddie Nketiah will now stay at Arsenal

By Jordan Harris

Darren Ambrose has told talkSPORT that he now thinks that Eddie Nketiah will stay at Arsenal beyond this season, and may choose to go out on loan if he is not going to be a regular starter for Mikel Arteta.

For much of the campaign, it appeared inevitable that Nketiah would be leaving the Emirates. His contract expires in the summer. And he did not make his first league start until April.

However, he is now first-choice for Arteta’s side. Nketiah scored twice as Arsenal secured a vital win over Chelsea in the race for the top-four in the Premier League. The Gunners have now taken nine points from their last nine.

And that appears to have made the 22-year-old’s future a little more difficult to predict. Arsenal are apparently planning to try and convince him to sign a new contract after all.

The Gunners are going to sign a new striker in the summer. So that will surely influence his decision as he may well be wary of returning to being second-choice.

Some may still expect Nketiah to move on when his deal expires. But Ambrose has suggested that he can see the striker performing a u-turn, and perhaps even deciding to try and push for a loan move instead.

“I think he’ll stay but whether he’ll stay in Arsenal as a player or go on loan I don’t know,” he told talkSPORT. “Arsenal are building something, he’s 22, and if he is confident enough to one day be the focal point for Arsenal [he might stay and go on loan].”

Loan move may be perfect option for Eddie Nketiah and Arsenal

Nketiah has had a taste of leading the line for Arsenal. If anything, that is only going to make him even more determined to make sure that he is playing regularly next season.

With that in mind, a loan deal may be ideal for all parties.

Nketiah gets the opportunity to continue developing, while Arsenal do not lose a youngster who has shown that he has real potential.

He has been described as ‘magnificent‘ previously. So it would be fantastic for the Gunners if they could ensure that he sticks around on the books for a little while yet.