SPURS GUNNER MISS OUT AGAIN WITH DANI
EDDIE NKETIAH has revealed how Arsenal legends Thierry Henry and Ian Wright have helped him follow in their footsteps.
Gunners prospect Nketiah, 20, met up with Wright in the summer to get some tips, while Henry was his youth coach during his time working at the club’s academy.
They have both played a part in helping Nketiah make major improvements – the England Under21 striker has been one of the success stories of Arsenal’s summer tour of the United States with three goals in two games.
Nketiah also revealed that he has been learning from Arsenal’s firstchoice front two Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
The Londoner said: “A lot of great strikers have played for Arsenal and Ian Wright and Thierry are two of my favourites. I was with Ian Wright not too long ago and got some advice and it’s always nice to speak to those guys who have been your idols.
“I worked with Thierry as well and it’s great to get that advice from top strikers. He’s very approachable.
“We’ve also got two top strikers here at the club at the moment and I try to take what I can from them and use it in my own game.
“Laca gave me a nice assist on my second goal (in the 3-0 win over Fiorentina) so I am grateful.”
Arsenal manager Unai Emery blocked Nketiah from joining German club Augsburg on loan last January and there is a similar dilemma now with Bristol City keen to sign him.
Nketiah, who scored in Arsenal’s 3-1 win at Burnley on the final day of the Premier League season, said: “There was talk of that (going out on loan) and it was close to happening in January but the club decided that I should stay and I tried to finish the season as strongly as possible.
“We’ll see what happens in the future but I’m just enjoying the tour right now. I need to keep pushing, keep working. I want to be playing regularly this season. After the pre-season tour, it’s something that I’ll look at with my family. I’ll speak to the manager and see what’s best for me.”
Nketiah, who scored twice after coming on as an 85th-minute substitute against Norwich in a League Cup tie in 2017, has become something of a cult figure to Arsenal fans and is relishing it.
“I feel like I have a great relationship with the fans,” he said. “It’s nice that they notice that and sing my name. That’s a dream come true. Even out here the fans are screaming my name. I’m so grateful that they have taken to me like that as one of the boys from the academy and I hope it can continue.” ARSENAL are confident of completing a season-long loan deal for Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos – and beating Tottenham to a summer signing for a second time.
Boss Unai Emery wants the 22-year-old to bolster his midfield and the Gunners have had lengthy talks with Real, Ceballos and his advisers.
Landing him would be a major coup as
Spurs have also been in the running for the Spain international (above), with boss Mauricio Pochettino a big admirer.
Arsenal beat their north London rivals to Saint-Etienne centre-back William
Saliba, with the 18-year-old due to have a medical and sign. Arsenal agreed to loan Saliba back to Saint-Etienne for a season to get the £27m deal over the line.