Graeme Souness is “amazed” that Arsenal have allowed Eddie Nketiah to enter the final few months of his contract after predicting a long queue of suitors for his signature.
Nketiah has been back in prominence recently after starting four games in a row for Arsenal. They have been his only starts of the 2021-22 Premier League season. But the first saw him score a brace against Chelsea and he has been working hard since.
The striker was once again the focal point for Arsenal’s win over West Ham. Although he couldn’t add to his seven-goal tally for the season across all competitions, his work rate from the front stood out.
His performance particularly caught the eye of Sky Sports pundit Souness. In fact, he felt he was the best player on the pitch.
With that in mind, the ex-Liverpool midfielder cannot believe Arsenal are in a situation where they could be losing him for free.
“Arsenal deserved to win the game. Arsenal were a good team today,” Souness told Sky Sports.
“I thought the second half they found another yard, okay it was two defenders who got them the goals, but I still think they deserved to win the game.
“Nketiah, I thought was the best player on the pitch today.
“He was always threatening. He had a couple of shots where he came in on his right foot and made the goalkeeper work.
“You always want him to run forward, stretch the defender. His contract is about to run out and I’m amazed at that. I really am.
“He will not be short of teams wanting him. I really like him. I thought he was fabulous.”
If he is to leave Arsenal on a free transfer, as expected, the queue of clubs trying to tempt him elsewhere will likely include Crystal Palace, Borussia Monchengladbach and maybe even West Ham themselves.
The possibility of Arsenal extending his contract remains on the cards, albeit being unlikely. Indeed, the 22-year-old has also questioned his lack of starts for the club. Therefore, he may prefer to look elsewhere to further his…