English-born Ghanaian forward Eddie Nketiah is gearing up for Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States with optimism, seeing it as an opportunity to impress manager Mikel Arteta.
Despite speculation about his potential departure from the club this summer as Arsenal looks to revamp its squad for the upcoming 2024/25 season, Nketiah remains focused on showcasing his abilities.
The Gunners are scheduled to face Bournemouth in Carson, California, followed by clashes against Manchester United and Liverpool in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, respectively. Nketiah, who had a solid 2023/24 Premier League season with five goals and two assists in 27 appearances, is eager to make a big impact during the pre-season matches.
In an interview with the club’s official website, Nketiah emphasized the importance of pre-season for players to prove themselves and earn a spot in the team.
“Pre-season is really good for a lot of the lads who haven’t trained or played with us that much to show what they can do. It gives people opportunities to show themselves and get fit, so hopefully they can take them,” Nketiah stated.
“It’s a platform, even for us now, to make our mark and start playing games regularly and get fit. I think there are a lot of examples of players who did well in pre-season and gone on to play and have minutes in the first team, so it’s a really good chance,” he added.
With his sights set on securing a consistent spot in the Arsenal lineup, Nketiah is determined to make the most of the pre-season tour and prove his worth to manager Mikel Arteta.
