Mikel Arteta: Nketiah Is An Example To Others

Mikel Arteta has tasked his players to follow Nketiah’s attitude to training…

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hailed goalscorer Eddie Nketiah’s attitude in training this past week and has urged others to follow suit following our opening day win, he told reporters.

Nketiah didn’t start in the Community Shield against Manchester City despite Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury, with Kai Havertz being given the nod ahead of him.

However, with a home game against a low block incoming, Arteta decided to start the two aforementioned strikers together and Nketiah proved him right.

The 24-year-old scored the opener in our 2-1 win against Forest and Arteta highlighted his attitude in training as a benchmark for other players.

“Delighted for him because he’s a role model,” Arteta said.

“He’s a player that was so disappointed with the absence of Gabby [Jesus], and not to play a final. What he did when he came on the field in the final, was that he changed the game, that’s number one.

“And the second one, the way he trained this week, he was telling me: “gaffer, if I don’t play, you are blind.

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“It’s a clear example and a very good example for everybody.”

Arteta has been consistent in his belief that players must train the way they play and it would be interesting to know who his comments were aimed at.

Given the numbers in the squad, we have a plethora of players not happy with their playing time – with the likes of Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney not even able to make the matchday squad.

The fight for places in the forward line will only increase once Jesus returns from his latest injury.