Arsenal star 'left wondering if he has a future at club' after Liverpool defeat
Eddie Nketiah should be considering his future at Arsenal after being overlooked to play against Liverpool in the FA Cup.
That’s the opinion of Chris Sutton, who has questioned why Mikel Arteta chose to play Kai Havertz in the third-round tie when Gabriel Jesus was unavailable. Arsenal lost 2-0 to Liverpool on Sunday with the home side wasting several good opportunities before being stung by two late goals.
Arsenal have now won just once in their past seven matches in all competitions, with their struggles in attack a particularly obvious problem. The front three of Jesus (seven), Gabriel Martinelli (four) and Bukayo Saka (nine) have managed 20 goals between them in all competitions, but the Gunners are lagging behind their rivals in attacking prowess.
Jesus was absent for the Liverpool game, yet Arteta opted to field Havertz alongside Reiss Nelson and Saka in attack. The decision left Nketiah on the bench until the 81st minute when he was brought on for Jorginho after Jakub Kiwior’s own goal gave Liverpool the lead.
Nketiah has started just 13 games in all competitions this season, with Arteta reluctant to have him lead the line consistently. He has six goals in 27 appearances and former Premier League striker Sutton has questioned whether he needs to leave Arsenal to take the next step in his career.
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Speaking on the It’s All Kicking Off Podcast, he said: “I have to say, I have an opinion on Kai Havertz: if I’m Eddie Nketiah, I’m wondering how I’m benched and I don’t have a future at Arsenal if I’m not starting as a central striker.
Eddie Nketiah did not start against Liverpool (Alex Burstow/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Eddie Nketiah consider leaving Arsenal? Comment below.
“He’s desperate, I get that, but what message does that send to Nketiah if Havertz is at number nine, what is Nketiah thinking? If I’m Nketiah I’m thinking I can’t stay at Arsenal any longer, if you play a guy who has been affected and has shackles on. Come on, he has no future at Arsenal.”
Asked why he didn’t start Nketiah against Liverpool, Arteta said: “It was for the reasons that we expected, especially in the first part of the game what we wanted. That’s it.” Nketiah came close to leaving Arsenal in the summer of 2022 but ended up signing a new contract until June 2027 with the club.
But the 24-year-old is once again being linked with the exit, with Crystal Palace keen on signing him in the January transfer window. Arsenal do not want to sell as things stand, even though they are keen to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford to improve their attack.
Arteta remains convinced that Arsenal’s fortunes in front of goal will turn. “I haven't seen a team in the past six months that has generated what we have done against them in the last two games,” he said. “We haven’t capitalised. Not just today, but in the last few games as well. That’s why we’re not winning games.
“Merit-wise there is no question that we deserve to win the games but the results are very different. But when my team plays with that courage and attitude against probably the best team in Europe right now in terms of momentum, what can I do but stick by them and support them?”
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