Eddie Nketiah: Arsenal star pens new five-year deal

Eddie Nketiah has signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal, where he will wear Thierry Henry’s iconic number 14.

On Saturday, Arsenal issued a statement on their website confirming the new contract.

Nketiah was a standout for Arsenal at the end of last season, scoring five goals in eight games for Mikel Arteta’s team.

The 22-year-previous old’s contract expired at the end of this month, with Sky Sports News reporting in late May that he had decided to stay at the club, despite interest from Crystal Palace and Borussia Monchengladbach, after being persuaded to do so by Arteta.

“Eddie Nketiah is extending his stay with us after agreeing a new long-term contract,” said an Arsenal statement.

“Eddie has been with us since he was 14, making 92 first-team appearances and scoring 23 goals since his first-team debut in 2017.

“The 22-year-old made the transition from Hale End to London Colney during a highly successful youth career for both club and country, and marked his home debut with two goals against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup in 2017.

“Eddie also featured in the teams that won the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2020 and finished the recent 2021/22 season in fine form, starting our last eight league games and scoring five goals.

“Eddie is the England Under-21s all-time top scorer with 16 goals in 17 appearances and captained the side that won the 2021 European Under-21 Championships.”

And speaking on Nketiah’s new deal, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “I’m delighted Eddie is staying with us. He represents what we are all about and all the values of the club. We are very happy that he has extended his contract and now we have to get to work and continue to develop the great talent and person that we have in him.”