Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is ready to switch his international allegiance from England to Ghana and is seriously interested in playing at Qatar in November with the Black Stars team. The 22-year-old has featured for the U-21s of Enland but has b=never been called up to the senior team, with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Patrick Bamford and Tammy Abraham ahead of the Gunners man.
Nketiah has featured 18 times in the Premier League this campaign, scoring four goals which were braces against Chelsea and Leeds United. Nketiah has in recent weeks been ahead of Alex Lacazette, who is on his way out after five years in North London. It is believed that top officials of the Ghanaian Football Association have been in contact with Nketiah’s parents and he is ready to listen to them at a chance to play for his cpountry of ancestry.
Nketiah has been linked to a move out of Arsenal in recent months, with London rivals Crystal Palace leading the charge to sign the striker. Nketiah is rumoured to have submitted a transfer request to the club which was not accepted by members of the board back in January. The striker was seeking a loan move which was rejected by head coach Mikel Arteta as well.
However, with the World Cup approaching and Ghana looking to recruit players for the tourney, Nketiah is a big and appreciated by Otto Addo and his backroom staff. Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has not been called up to the England squad in nearly two years and it is very likely he will explore his chances with the Black Stars.
Ghana qualified for the World Cup after playing out a 1-1 draw against Nigeria after the away goal rule saw Addo’s men qualify for the tournament. The first leg in Kumasi ended 0-0 against the Super Eagles. Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate does not view Nketiah as a part of his plans going into the World Cup, having never been invited to the senior setup.
With his peers at his club playing National Team football regularly; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith-Rowe, Ben White and Albert Lokonga, Nketiah will be pushing for a place on the Black Stars squad. When asked about Nketiah’s future at Arsenal, Arteta said the lad should be left alone to enjoy these moments. The board have been advised by Arteta to offer Nketiah a new deal amidst rumors of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez moving to Arsenal this summer. Nketiah wants regular game time and possibly a starting role, especially with World Cup approaching.
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