Eddie Nketiah could be handed a more prominent role in Mikel Arteta’s squad next season as pundit Steve Nicol tips Alexandre Lacazette to leave the club this summer.
The French forward has fallen behind the young England youth international in the pecking order in recent weeks, and now the former Lyon striker’s future as an Arsenal player appears to be unclear.
According to former Liverpool stat Nicol though, it isn’t unclear at all, with the former full-back telling ESPN FC (via Express Sport) that Lacazette absolutely will leave the club in the summer. With Atletico Madrid said to be keen on the 28-year old, Nicol said of his future:
100 per cent, there’s no question, he will not be at Arsenal [next season].
He can’t get a game in any cup competition or the Premier League competition for Arsenal. That’s pretty clear Arteta doesn’t fancy him.
And Atletico Madrid again, they’re struggling for goals from their front players as well.
I think it’s the perfect move for both.
Should Arsenal allow Lacazette to leave the club, it could present Nketiah with the perfect opportunity to cement his place in Arteta’s immediate plans.
Since returning from his loan spell with Leeds United in January, Nketiah has played five times in the Premier League for the Gunners, starting the club’s last three league games, while scoring his first top flight goal against Everton.
Another of Arsenal’s talented crop of young players, that also includes Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock, Nketiah is seemigly held in high regard at Arsenal and Lacazette’s sale could present him with a golden opportunity to stamp his mark on the club.
Arteta has praised Nektiah in the past, and the 20-year old would be wise to take the opportunities presented to him with both hands.
