Eddie Nketiah‘s previous contract was due to expire at the end of this month; Sky Sports revealed in May that the 22-year-old had decided to stay at Arsenal after being convinced by Mikel Arteta; the striker has been given the iconic No 14 shirt historically worn by Thierry Henry
Eddie Nketiah has signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal, with the striker also being given Thierry Henry’s iconic number 14 shirt in the process.
The 22-year-old was in fine form for the Gunners at the end of last season, scoring five goals in eight matches for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Nketiah’s previous contract expired at the end of this month, with Sky Sports News  revealing at the end of May that the forward had decided to stay at the club, despite interest from Crystal Palace and Borussia Monchengladbach, after being convinced by Arteta to remain.
“I’m delighted Eddie is staying with us,” a statement from Arteta read on the club’s website. “He represents what we are all about and all the values of the club.
“We are very happy that he has extended his contract and now we have to get to work and continue to develop the great talent and person that we have in him.”
Nketiah’s new No 14 shirt was worn by Arsenal legend Henry between 1999 and 2007, with the Frenchman scoring 228 goals for the Gunners in two separate spells.
Since then, the number has been given to strikers – with Theo Walcott and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang taking over the mantle as Arsenal’s No 14. Walcott scored over 100 Arsenal goals in his Gunners career, while Aubameyang netted 92 times with that number before departing for Barcelona in January.
Nketiah deal shows Arteta pulling power’
Sky Sports News reporter Mark McAdam:
“There were doubts over Eddie Nketiah’s future and he has signed a new long-term contract. The man that joined Arsenal as a 14-year-old, now 22 years old, has now committed his future. He was into the final year of his current deal, this will be seen as a huge coup for Mikel Arteta.
“He’s wearing the No 14, if anyone in that Arsenal dressing room knows what it’s about, it’s about Thierry Henry.
“The five goals in Arsenal’s last eight games shows he could perhaps be seen as Arsenal’s number one striker. It feels like a new signing and they can plan around him now.”
Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth:
“It shows the pulling power of Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar. Crystal Palace were keen, Borussia Monchengladbach were keen. It’s what Mikel Arteta said to him that convinced him to stay.
“That’s not the end of what Arsenal want to do with that attack. They’ve lost Aubameyang and Lacazette and while Folarin Balogun will be coming back, Arsenal will want to strengthen in that area.”
Arsenal’s 2022/23 Premier League fixtures
Arsenal will start their 2022/23 Premier League campaign away at Crystal Palace on August 5, live on Friday Night Football.
Mikel Arteta’s side, who finished fifth in the Premier League last term, will then host Leicester City on August 13 before travelling to newly-promoted Bournemouth on August 20.
The Gunners’ first north London derby will take place at Emirates Stadium on October 1, while the return game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is early into the new year on January 14.
Arsenal’s final game before the season pauses for the winter World Cup will be away to Wolves on the weekend of November 12/13. They will then return to action on Boxing Day, entertaining West Ham.
The final day of the Premier League season is on May 28, where Arsenal will close out their campaign at home to Wolves.
SOURCE:SKY SPORTS