This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
One man’s trash, could very well be Leeds United’s treasure.
Eddie Nketiah’s lack of minutes so far during his loan spell from Arsenal have been well documented and things nearly came to a head last week when the man at the centre of all the attention expressed his frustration at merely being a substitute.
However, Gunners boss Unai Emery has stated that he isn’t worried by the lack of minutes the 20-year-old is getting at Elland Road at the moment.
The Spaniard says that whilst he isn’t playing regularly, he will in the future because he is ‘going to deserve it’.
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So it would appear that Emery can really take or leave Nketiah’s development at Elland Road.
If the striker was really someone that he wanted to use in the future and potentially build a team around, he should be demanding that he play at every opportunity, because his development, and therefore usefulness to them in the future is at stake.
But the fact he appears to be so nonchalant right now strikes a tone of ‘If he makes it, he makes it. If he doesn’t, sell him on’.
A club like Arsenal will always be in a position to attract quality players. Consistently in European competitions, earning plenty of money along the way and in a major city like London, they’ll never be short of young talent available on their doorstep.
Leeds, however, are a long way away from where Arsenal are.
Whilst someone like Nketiah can come across as disposable to them, for a club like Leeds he could be a key player.
Emery’s words, therefore, should come as huge boost. Amid recent reports that the north Londoners may be willing to recall him, this suggests the opposite is, in fact, the case.
Since Patrick Bamford last found the net, Nketiah has scored eight times for club and country. It proves he’s the better goalscorer which makes the need to keep him even greater – especially for a side who sit top for shots per game but eleventh for goals scored in the division.
That’s why Leeds need to consider calling Arsenal’s bluff on the matter. Much in the same way they brought in Helder Costa in on a season-long loan in the summer before making the deal permanent in 2020, they might try to work out a similar deal for Nketiah down the line.
At least that way they’ll know what Arsenal’s real plans are. If they are willing to play ball it will give them the freedom to manage him more in their style. If they aren’t, they’ll know he won’t be their problem beyond next summer.
Either way, at least they’ll have their answer as to what Nketiah’s future, or lack thereof, is at Elland Road.