In order to help Arsenal climb the Premier League table, Gunners’ new manager Mikel Arteta has recalled young striker Eddie Nketiah from his loan spell at Leeds United.
During his fourth month loan at Elland Road, the striker has made two starts in the EFL Cup, scoring on both occasions and has netted five times in 19 appearances for the Yorkshire side. When he joined the championship club, he scored four goals in his first six matches for Leeds in all competitions but often had to settle for a place on the bench.
Nketiah started Leeds’ 1-1 draw at West Brom on New Year’s Day, which was just his second league start but was substituted at half time. And at the end of the match, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that Nketiah will be going to his parent club. The Leeds manager added that Nketiah’s season-long stay was being ended four months early. Bielsa noted that Leeds will “analyse the situation” before deciding if Nketiah will be replaced during the January transfer window.
“Arsenal have informed he will not continue with us and we are sorry for that,” Bielsa said after the game at The Hawthorns.
“Eddie arrived at Leeds when the Championship had started and had to spend time adapting to our style.
“He didn’t take this decision, but he’s a great player, excellent professional and had very good behaviour – a gentleman in every sense.
“We know what we offered to him maybe was not what the club (Arsenal) expected.
“He is a great player and excellent professional. He has been developed with good education and for this reason, it is a pity for us that he leaves us. We were happy with him.”
After the game, Nketiah waved goodbye to Leeds fans and later posted on Twitter to say that his time at Leeds was “an enjoyable one”.
Hw wrote on Twitter: “Unfortunately my time @LUFC has come to an end. It’s been an amazing experience and a privilege to play for such an amazing club. I would like to say a big thank you to my teammates, the coaching staff and the manager for making my time here an enjoyable one.
“Lastly, a big thank you to all the wonderful fans for taking to me so quickly. I wish the club all the best and I’m sure you’ll get to the promised land.”
Unfortunately my time @LUFC has come to an end. It’s been an amazing experience and a privilege to play for such an amazing club. I would like to say a big thank you to my teammates, the coaching staff and the manager for making my time here an enjoyable one. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/IgQNfkOWn5
— Eddie Nketiah 📞 (@EddieNketiah9) January 1, 2020
Lastly, a big thank you to all the wonderful fans for taking to me so quickly. I wish the club all the best and I’m sure you’ll get to the promised land. #MOT @LUFC ⚽️🙏🏾 2/2 pic.twitter.com/6hEWZS2f3i
— Eddie Nketiah 📞 (@EddieNketiah9) January 1, 2020
