Merson urges ‘hungry’ Arsenal star to sign a new contract
Paul Merson thinks Eddie Nketiah should sign a new deal at Arsenal as he is at “an unbelievable football club” despite not getting his desired playing time.
The former England under-21 international has 71 times in all competitions over five seasons for the Gunners since making his first appearance in the first team in the 2017-18 season.
He played 29 matches last term, the most in his career, but he has been restricted to three substitute Premier League appearances and five starts in the League Cup this season.
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The former Leeds loanee will become a free agent in the summer if he does not sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium and recent reports claimed that Nketiah recently rejected their offer of a new contract.
Nketiah was close to joining Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, but a deal fell through due to apparent disagreements in agent fees and personal terms.
It has been widely reported the striker will leave at the end of his deal, with Arsenal still eager to extend his stay in north London.
But Merson would love to see him stay at the Emirates with Nketiah scoring a hat-trick as Arsenal beat Sunderland 5-1 on Tuesday night.
🗣 “My advice as a 53-year old who was here for 14 years, stick here for two, three more years. He should have faith in his ability that he will be a star for Arsenal.”
Paul Merson urges Eddie Nketiah to stay at Arsenal after the player turned down a contract pic.twitter.com/Z7tVFl68qU
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 21, 2021
“The lad never lets you down, he never lets you down,” Merson said on Sky Sports before kick-off.
“He comes in to the team, he knows he’s not going to be playing at Norwich on Boxing Day and he’ll still turn up tonight and put in a performance and that’s what I like.
“He’s hungry. There’s talk that he doesn’t want to sign a contract which I can understand that because he wants to play but at the same time I’m looking and you’re at Arsenal, an unbelievable football club.
“You’re only a young kid, you’ve got time, be patient. I like him, he’s a good finisher, a good goalscorer, got pace.
“If I was his agent I’d be signing again. I left Arsenal, it’s different. This is an unbelievable football club and you only realise when you leave.”
