Nketiah can have a wonderful future at Arsenal says Arteta

MIKEL ARTETA has told Eddie Nketiah to follow in the footsteps of Emile Smith Rowe and turn his Emirates Stadium future on its head.

Nketiah struck twice as the Gunners won 4-2 at Chelsea on Wednesday night to revive their Champions League ambitions.

And the England Under-21 international is set to keep his place for today’s lunchtime showdown with Manchester United when victory will lift them above Tottenham in fourth ahead of Spurs’ trip to Brentford.

Nketiah, below, has been forced to wait for his chance with just two league starts to his name.

With his contract set to end this summer, Nketiah has voiced his frustration at his lack of minutes and admitted his career is reaching a crossroads.

Like Smith Rowe, Nketiah came through the ranks at the north London club but while the forward’s career has been slow to take off, Smith Rowe has kicked on.

However, Arteta believes Nketiah could follow his team-mate’s lead. Asked if the 22-yearold could match Smith Rowe’s rise, the Gunners manager said: “Anything can happen. Emile was looking really good, and we decided to give him the opportunity. But then he had to step in and he had to perform.

“He has done it consistently this season with the amount of goals he is scoring.

“Eddie has this capacity.What he needs is opportunity, time and support, especially when he has difficult moments. If you are ready and prepared to do it, I am sure he will be successful.”

Arteta pointed to Nketiah’s contract situation as a major factor in why he felt unable to pick the striker on a regular basis.

“It is because the space that he had in the team because of his personal situation, his contractual situation,” said the manager, who wants the player to sign a new deal.

“But he doesn’t give us anything else than the best every day, the way he trains, the way he wants to improve, the attention he pays, how he behaves when he plays when he doesn’t play.

“He is just a phenomenal player and he has shown that the whole team and that’s why he has so much respect in the dressing room.”