Eddie Nketiah delivers nine-word verdict on new Arsenal contract after emphatic Gabriel defence

Eddie Nketiah has delivered a nine-word verdict to Arsenal fans after he signed his new deal with the club and was handed the iconic number 14 shirt.

The striker appeared to be heading for the exit on a free transfer but he has now signed a long-term deal in north London. Following the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, losing Nketiah would have left the club with plenty of work to do in the transfer window.

A marquee striker signing is also expected to be made in north London with Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus heavily linked with a move. But having depth will be crucial ahead of the return of European football next season and Mikel Arteta was delighted to get the deal over the line.

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“I’m delighted Eddie is staying with us,” Arteta said. “He represents what we are all about and all the values of the club. We are very happy that he has extended his contract and now we have to get to work and continue to develop the great talent and person that we have in him.”

The back-end of last season saw Nketiah nail down a place in Arteta’s starting XI scoring five goals in the final seven games of the Premier League season. He was expected to leave the club on a free transfer but has been talked into a new deal by those at the club to their delight.

But not everyone was as happy to see the striker sign a new deal. A number of fans sent abuse to Nketiah after the news broke, causing centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes to spring to his defence.

Taking to Twitter after the news, the Brazilian wrote: “How can you be so ungrateful! OMG.”

But Nketiah himself has not let the negative talk get to him and sent a succint message of his own in the evening. Taking to Twitter, his own message read: “New deal, new number, unfinished business. God is good.”