Nketiah contract talks have 'a lot of issues to resolve' - Arteta
Mikel Arteta believes Eddie Nketiah will be a "top, top player" but admits there is no certainty he will stay at Arsenal.
Arteta spoke after his Gunners side's 2-0 win over Leeds United in the Carabao Cup.
Nketiah scored the second goal on the night in only his second appearance of the season with a scuffed finish after his initial good work to knock the ball over the onrushing Leeds keeper.
And Arteta admits he is hopeful the England Under-21 star's future will lie at the Emirates.
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Arteta on Nketiah
Nketiah saw a summer move to Crystal Palace break down and has been apparently peripheral in his manager's thoughts.
But Arteta told reporters after the midweek match: "We had a situation in the summer that we tried to resolve and we couldn't either way.
"That contract situation is more and more common in football for where we are coming from with Covid and a lot of the issues that we have to resolve.
"I have full belief that he is going to be a top, top player and hopefully at Arsenal. I'm happy to have him, he is our player, I regard him really highly and from my side I want him to stay."
I have full belief that he is going to be a top, top player and hopefully at Arsenal
- Asked if there was an update on any contract talks with Nketiah, Arteta replied: "No. I have no doubts what he can offer. Whatever you throw at him, he wants more and he demands himself more.
"I'm delighted to see the performance he had. He totally deserved it. He has other players who play in that position and he has a personal situation but I try to leave that aside."
How good is Nketiah?
Eddie Nketiah is Arsenal's 22-year-old striker who has found minutes limited under manager Mikel Arteta.
He has made his way through the Arsenal Academy but has made his name with England U21s.
Nketiah scored 16 goals in just 17 appearances with the Young Lions to become the record goalscorer at this level, breaking Alan Shearer's record of 13.
He also had a stint on loan at Leeds United in 2019/20, during which he scored five times in 19 appearances.
Nketiah is known for his pace and finishing ability and has been likened to Arsenal legend Ian Wright.
However, he finds himself behind Alexandre Lacazette and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the Emirates pecking order and must bide his time for his chance at Arsenal.
