Arsenal may only sign one striker this summer if they manage to tie down Eddie Nketiah to a lucrative new contract, according to reports in the English media.
The 22-year-old’s current deal at the Emirates is set to expire next month but the Gunners are expected to offer him a sizeable salary increase in order to tempt him to stay put.
Their commitment to keeping Nketiah may also lead to them reducing the number of forwards they are prepared to sign in order to give their current player more game time. A majority of fans on Twitter believe this decision could end up backfiring:
Arteta should think to be honest, keeping Nketiah and only signing one additional striker is a huge mistake! Replace Nketiah with a good striker and you’ll have results, Nunez and Jesus for instance!
— IamZelda (@zelda5_iam) May 10, 2022
Please don’t do this based on a few good performances!!! How many times have Arsenal offered a bumper contract based on end of season form to be disappointed following season. If you give him a salary he doesn’t deserve, he’ll literally have no buyers when he’s not performing.
— Drogo (@khaldro53747048) May 10, 2022
Even if Nketiah extends and we sign Gabriel Jesus,we still need one another’s striker/wide forward.
Tammy Abraham, Sterling, Gakpo
— Airenakho Omogbai (@AirenakhoO) May 10, 2022
Big earner based off a few games is a bit strange
— Ross (@RCNIAFC) May 10, 2022
He’s done a Joe Willock and we have fallen for it.
— T:man (@room808) May 10, 2022
This is a big mistake. We should Nketiah leave. He’s been on form but I definitely don’t trust him to be our 2nd striker. If our main striker gets injured that means Nketiah will be our #9 in important CL matches (if we even qualify).
— The Red Gooner (@LoRd_HIGHbury) May 10, 2022
No, i know hes been good recently but doesnt fulfill me with much confidence. City are going forwards and buting haaland whilst we will have Nketiah🤣leave it out. Nkunku… nunez…lautaro…
— Harry (@Harry_Man32) May 10, 2022
Hang on a minute. Jesus replaces Laca so who is relacing Auba? And we didn’t even have European football this season. If we’re selling Pepe the squad is way too thin. Would definitely need another striker.
— gareth piggott (@gareth227) May 11, 2022
Naa, we musnt go this way. Increase his salary but not to the point of significantly affecting the chance of signing another top striker (after G Jesus ).
— Chuky Unadulterated (@ChukyUnfazed) May 10, 2022
It has to be said that offering Nketiah a significant wage rise is not merited based on his current performances. While the striker has bagged two braces, it’s hardly evidence that warrants him becoming one of the best-paid players at the club.
Arsenal are trying to keep him out of the clutches of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Brighton but, as some supporters have mentioned, if he doesn’t perform well next season, the Gunners are stuck with a player who has signed a lengthy extension on a top salary.
