EDDIE & THE HOT REDS

Arteta tells Nketiah to turn his Gunners future around like Smith Rowe has done

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

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

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

But the striker has been forced to wait for his chance with just two league starts to his name.

And 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 (below), Nketiah came through the ranks at the north London club. But while the forward’s career has been slow to take off, Smith Rowe, 21, has kicked on.

And Arsenal boss Arteta believes Nketiah could follow his team-mate’s lead.

Asked if the 22-year-old could match Smith Rowe’s rise, Arteta said: “In football 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 really consistently and especially this season as well 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 had 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 has made it clear he would like the player to sign a new deal.

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

“He is a phenomenal player and has shown that, not just to me, but the whole team. It’s why he is so respected here.”