'He's helped my all-round game' - Nketiah credits Arteta for improvement

Mikel Arteta is someone who excels in bringing out the best in young players, suggests Eddie Nketiah as he talks up his manager’s qualities.

Eddie Nketiah was asked to cut short his loan spell at Leeds United and return to Arsenal in January by Mikel Arteta, who had just been handed over the managerial reins at the Emirates at the time.

Nketiah became a frequent presence in the Arsenal line-up in the second half of the season and went on to score four goals in 17 appearances.

The 21-year old was one of several youngsters at Arsenal to benefit from Arteta’s policy of promoting young players such as Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, and Joe Willock.

The English U21 international will be wearing the captain’s armband for his national side when the Three Lions take on Kosovo in the European Championship qualifier on Friday night.

Nketiah insists Arteta deserves a lot of credit for his startling rise in the last few months while also claiming that any determined young player would be able to make their mark with the guidance of the Spanish manager.

“Mikel has taught me a lot. He is definitely very personable,” he said, as reported by Daily Mail.

“He does a lot of tactical work about understanding your role. As a young player, if you have the right mentality, you can definitely improve under him and that’s something I’m trying to do.

“He’s helped my all-round game, given me chances to express myself, make mistakes, and try to correct them. I’m learning on the job.”