Why Eddie Nketiah wants to leave the Emirates ‘immediately’ and every Arsenal fan should agree

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Arsenal are set for a transfer saga over the coming weeks with striker Eddie Nketiah, after rejecting offers from Marseille.

Nketiah had agreed personal terms with Marseille and was keen on the move, but the deal has now fallen through as they failed to meet Arsenal’s asking price.

This has left Nketiah in limbo, and recent reports indicated that he was frustrated at his situation and wants to leave “immediately.”

Nketiah fell down the pecking order at the Emirates, and a departure would be best for all parties whilst his value remains high.

Bournemouth are now interested in Nketiah to replace Dominic Solanke, who joined Tottenham Hotspur for a huge fee, and this could be an excellent move for the striker, who would be given the platform to find his best form.

Arsenal exit would be best for Eddie Nketiah this summer

If no move materialises for Nketiah, Mikel Arteta may not be too disheartened at keeping him in the squad as a backup, but this would not be the ideal scenario.

Nketiah started last season well, scoring Arsenal’s first goal of the season against Nottingham Forest, but failed to start a single game in 2024, with Kai Havertz emerging as a top-quality option after moving to a number nine role.

The Englishman needs to play regularly to continue his development, and like Emile Smith Rowe, fans are ready to see a Hale End graduate depart for the benefit of his career and the club’s finances.

Eddie Nketiah could thrive at Bournemouth

Should Nketiah move to Bournemouth, he could benefit from two things he will not gain at Replacing Solanke will mean Nketiah is the first-choice centre-forward and is trusted to start most games rather than coming off the bench.

Nketiah will also play in a system that plays to his strengths. When he is substituted on by Arteta, he often comes on in game states where Arsenal are holding onto a lead, and suffers from a lack of service in the dying minutes of matches, which does not allow him to build momentum.

The 25-year-old may also be better suited to a counter-attacking system. Under Andoni Iraola, he will be in a team with speedy wingers on either side, and he will have space to run into when attacking.

In his final season before Iraola joined Bournemouth, Solanke scored six times in 33 games, but the change in style allowed him to play to his strengths.

If Nketiah replaces him, he will hope for a similar revival, and Arsenal fans will hope that Edu Gaspar can earn a substantial fee for the talented, but out of favour attacker.