TIME TO ED OFF
Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah lined up by Nottingham Forest’s Premier League rivals after transfer breaks down
Nketiah successfully filled in for one injury prone Arsenal star two seasons ago
EDDIE NKETIAH'S move to Nottingham Forest has broken down after an agreement with the Arsenal striker could not be reached.
And now Crystal Palace have entered their name into the mix after the Eagles identified him as a potential competition for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
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The 25-year-old striker could not agree on personal terms after Arsenal and Forest had negotiated on a £30m fee ahead of a summer exit.
Palace – who have held a long-standing interest in the Gunners academy product – could now swoop in if they can match Arsenal’s evaluation of the player.
The South London club are now considering a loan with an obligation to buy for Nketiah, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Nketiah has been looking for a new club during this window after demanding more first team football to boss Mikel Arteta – something the Spaniard cannot give him.
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Marseille also saw talks collapse earlier this month having failed to offer a big enough up-front fee.
The French side have since signed striker Elye Wahi from Lens.
Nketiah has scored 38 goals in 168 games for Arsenal after coming through their academy.
He netted six times in 37 appearances for Arteta’s side in the 2023-24 campaign but has been an unused substitute in both of their Premier League games this season.
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Nketiah’s Arsenal contract runs until June 2027 after he signed a new deal in 2022.
Forest have been seeking to bolster their forward options which already include Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Arsenal need major transfer clear out to beat Man City to Premier League title | Troy Deeney
Arsenal ratings vs Aston Villa: Raya and Saliba rock solid at the back but Martinelli toothless
ARSENAL made sure to keep pace with Manchester City as they bagged a late 2-0 win against bogey team Aston Villa.
Timely goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey helped Mikel Arteta maintain a 100 per cent start to the season.
But they owed a lot to keeper David Raya who somehow denied Ollie Watkins at 0-0.
Here is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners stars…
DAVID RAYA – 9/10
Other than watching Watkins’ shot dribble wide, a fairly quiet first half before a smart save to halt Rogers’ flick across goal.
He then pulled off an unbelievable stop on the line to deny a Watkins header, getting up off the floor after a deflected shot smacked the bar and bounced out.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Showed his quality in the opening few minutes to break Villa’s tricky block before leaving Onana in a heap with a hefty body check.
Likely to keep this starting spot ahead of Zinchenko.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 9
Immense. Watkins barely had a sniff up against him. Arsenal’s difference-maker in these tight, nervy games.
In a rare instance, lost his temper with McGinn in the first half, but regained his composure and was a rock at the back.
Made a late lung-busting run back to block a late counter and celebrated like it was a goal.
GABRIEL – 5
Very lucky not to hand Villa the lead. Stripped on the edge of his box claiming a foul but thankful to see Watkins somehow drag his effort wide.
Picked up a needless yellow in the second half for wild challenge on Onana. One of his poorer games in an Arsenal shirt with mistakes that should have been punished.
BEN WHITE – 7
Solid as ever, needing to be alert with Villa lethal on the counter, covering superbly.
In pure White fashion, started a melee after smacking a ball into McGinn for doing the same to Saliba, with an expressionless look on his face throughout.
THOMAS PARTEY – 8
Brilliantly stopped several early Villa counters and showed good physicality in his entertaining battle against McGinn.
Looked leggy late on but kept on by Arteta, and rewarded his manager with a rare goal.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Drove forward more with Partey sitting deeper. Lovely pass in behind for Havertz which should have been finished off.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
Kept things ticking with some cute passes in the Villa final third and threw around plenty of tackles in the middle of the pitch.
Played in Saka in the 64th minute but the winger opted not to shoot, but three minutes later teed up Saka again to provide for Trossard.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 5
Had an early chance to break free down the left but his delivery into Saka was under hit.
Was just as lacklustre after the break and lucky to stay on for as long as he did, coming off in the 65th minute.
BUKAYO SAKA – 8
Looked to have put Arsenal ahead after 15 minutes but for a wonderful Martinez fingertip save.
Through on goal in the second half, he wrongly chose to try and round the Villa keeper and made a mess of his finish.
But, all that matters are his assists for Trossard and Partey – his persistence paid off.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
Unlucky not to find the net from a scrappy corner, hitting the bar with a toe poke. Wasteful in Villa’s box with two great chances squandered.
Worked hard, but not as clinical as he has been.
SUBS:
LEANDRO TROSSARD (MARTINELLI, 65) – 9
Almost gave Villa the lead within seconds of coming on, losing Ezri Konsa at a free-kick with a volley looping just wide.
But then, he pops up in the other box and instinctively curls in a beautiful finish.
Played his part in Partey’s strike too with a perfect run in behind.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI (TIMBER, 80) – 6
Premier League debut for the Italian. Got in the good books of Arsenal fans by winding up Martinez almost instantly.
REISS NELSON (SAKA, 87) – N/A
Arsenal themselves may need to dip into the market for another striker regardless of whether Nketiah gets his move or not with Gabriel Jesus injured yet again.
The Brazilian – plagued with hamstring and knee issues last term – missed Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Aston Villa with a “slight groin issue” that will require an MRI scan this week.
However, should Jesus’ layoff be minor then Arteta has suggested he is more than happy with his attacking options with or without Nketiah in the squad.
Nketiah, who has been capped once by England, joined Arsenal in 2015 from Chelsea’s youth system.
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