Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Eddie Nketiah is unlikely to leave Arsenal during this January transfer window.
The striker was linked with a move to fellow Premier League side West Ham United with reports from The Evening Standard saying the Hammers were tracking the forward.
However, appearing on Sky Sports, the famed journalist has poured hot water on the reports by revealing that he doesn’t think the £18m-rated England under-21 striker will leave the Gunners.
Who should Arsenal keep out of the two youngsters?
Eddie Nketiah
Folarin Balogun
It’s a tough situation for the Gunners especially due to the emergence of Folarin Balogun, who has started life in the first team like a house on fire. Despite playing just 74 minutes for the senior side, the Englishman has already scored two goals and registered one assist.
That leaves Mikel Arteta with quite the conundrum because the 19-year-old’s contract runs out at the end of the season. So just who does he keep? Nketiah, England’s record goalscorer at the under-21 level? or Balogun, who has shown far more suitability to play in the manager’s current system?
Both players have their own attributes, but, if you wanted to pick out the more lethal finisher, you’d have to give that title to Nketiah. The 21-year-old has been potent in front of goal at both junior and senior-level when given chances and was at one point this campaign, the club’s top scorer.
Whilst Balogun may not be as lethal, his all-round game proves far strong than his counterpart’s. Nketiah has been criticised in the past for not having the skillset to dispossess the likes of Alexandre Lacazette with Charlie Nicholas claiming last season that the forward needed to ‘learn the trade’.
Whilst it would prove unpopular, I feel the addition of Emile Smith Rowe means Nketiah would be the better option for Arteta moving forward. His finishing is far too good for the former Manchester City coach to be turning his nose up at him no matter how well Balogun has been performing.
In other news, one ace has signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal.
