Arsenal’s decision to hand Eddie Nketiah new contract slammed by former player: ‘He wouldn’t start for Fulham’

Paul Merson has claimed Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is not good enough to start for newly-promoted Fulham.

Nketiah recently signed a new contract with the Gunners, taking on the iconic 14 shirt in the process, as he opted to stay despite rejecting the offers put to him by the club during the season.

Arsenal continue to push for a new striker in the transfer window as well, with a £45million deal for Gabriel Jesus agreed and the Brazilian looks set to complete the move to the Emirates.

Former Gunners player Merson believes it is crucial that Arsenal buy Jesus and strengthen in attack, as Nketiah is not the man to fire the team back into the top four.

“All Arsenal have got up front right now is Eddie Nketiah, who recently signed a new contract when it looked like he might leave,” Merson told the Daily Star.

“And no disrespect to Nketiah but Mikel Arteta must realise he won’t get you into the top four. Absolutely no chance. That’s a fact.

“Nketiah can’t be spearheading your Champions League push. He’s not getting in ahead of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison at Everton and they almost got relegated.

“He’s not getting in at Fulham ahead of Aleksandr Mitrovic and they’ve only just been promoted. I’m not having a go at him but he’s not getting you top four.”

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