Arsenal star Nketiah told he isn’t the answer as Arteta urged to spend

FC Zurich v Arsenal: Pictures

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Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has been warned that his future may not lie at the Emirates in a message to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta. The Englishman signed a new deal at the end of last season after his contract expired, following his strong end to the campaign which saw the young striker oust Alexandre Lacazette as the club’s starting forward.

Nketiah has since lost his spot to summer signing Gabriel Jesus, and has seen his game-time reduced to substitute appearances and starts in the Europa League. Former Gunners striker Kevin Campbell does not believe he is “the answer” however, and that Nketiah needs to work on one element of his game.

“Eddie’s a good finisher but yet to prove it year in, year out at the top level,” Campbell told Highbury Squad. “I’ve said it myself previously, Eddie’s not the answer. I’d love him to prove me wrong. I think he’s improved his all-round game, but finishing-wise, I don’t know if he’s the answer.”

While Nketiah got a goal on his only start of the season against FC Zurich, he has come off the bench in every Premier League game this campaign and his team-mate Bukayo Saka has backed the striker to impact the Gunners’ season. “Eddie Nketiah made a real difference for us,” Saka said after Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Fulham. “I’m happy with his contribution and I’m sure he’ll score a lot of goals for us this season.”

Nketiah scored five goals in eight starts last season as he was promoted to the starting lineup at the tail end of the year, while Gunners icon Paul Merson agreed with Campbell that if Jesus suffers an injury then Arsenal will be in trouble if they have to rely on Nketiah.

“If Gabriel Jesus gets injured, they have massive problems,” said Merson in his column for Sportskeeda. “Eddie Nketiah is a good lad, but playing and scoring every week is a different ball game.

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“I don’t want to say too much, but Arsenal are in a good position to secure a top-four finish and I hope they can make it count this time.”

Jesus has begun his Arsenal career well with three goals and three assists in his first six league games, and does have a good injury record but if he was to miss out through injury or rotation Arteta does have another option up front in Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian also has three goals in six games but has been deployed on the left of the front three, though Emile Smith Rowe could get a chance in the team if Martinelli is played down the middle.

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