Player Mikel Arteta sold this summer explains why he had to take ‘next step’ by leaving Arsenal

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Arsenal parted ways with several popular players as Mikel Arteta trimmed his squad down, and some are still in the Premier League.

Hale End graduates Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe joined Fulham, where they will play alongside former Gunners Bernd Leno and Alex Iwobi.

Eddie Nketiah also departed on deadline day as he joined Crystal Palace. The striker is one of Hale End’s biggest success stories, having made 168 appearances for Arsenal, but he fell down the pecking order in the second half of last season.

Nketiah started last season well and even earned an England call-up, but he failed to start a single game in 2024 as Kai Havertz found his form as a centre-forward.

Speaking ahead of his potential Crystal Palace debut, Nketiah admitted his sadness over his Arsenal departure, but explained why he had to leave.

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Eddie Nketiah explains why he had to leave Arsenal

Speaking via The Standard, Nketiah stated that Arsenal was his “home,” but he had to take the next step in his career by leaving.

“I’m really excited for my Selhurst debut, and hopefully I can make it one to remember,” Nketiah stated.

“I know what it means to be a South Londoner. [Arsenal] was like a home to me, but I think you just want to take that next step in your career.

Nketiah departed in search of first-team football, and he will hope to play regularly at Crystal Palace under Oliver Glasner.

“Crystal Palace is a wonderful place. I want to improve, play more minutes, and hopefully help the team as much as I can,” he added.

Eddie Nketiah could thrive at Crystal Palace after losing Arsenal spot

Nketiah did score five Premier League goals last season, but it was clear that he was more suited to a counter-attacking style, rather than the possession-dominant system under Arteta.

His move to Palace should mean that he not only plays regularly, but plays in a system more suited to him, and Nketiah could thrive in South London.

Arsenal will hope that he performs well, as the initial £25m fee they received for him can increase to £30m when including potentially performance-based add-ons.

Fans will hope that Nketiah and Smith Rowe can find their best form with regular game time, and it will work out for all parties if they succeed with the regular opportunities they would not have received at Arsenal this season.