"Great news for rivals", "Mid-table mediocrity" - Arsenal fans react angrily as 22-year-old makes U-turn to sign contract extension

Arsenal fans question why a player has been given a contract extension.

Arsenal fans have reacted to the news that forward Eddie Nketiah has reportedly changed his mind on his future and is set to stay at the Emirates Stadium. They do not seem to be very thrilled with the fact that the young Englishman has decided to stay back with the Gunners.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Nketiah is on the verge of signing a new five-year deal at the north London club, with his current contract set to expire this summer.

🚨 Eddie Nketiah understood to have changed mind on leaving Arsenal. 22yo striker was set to go as free agent but now expected to sign new contract. Deal not finalised but duration likely to be up to 5 years @TheAthleticUK after @SamiMokbel81_DM scoop #AFC theathletic.com/news/eddie-nke…

The 22-year-old was Mikel Arteta's first-choice striker towards the backend of the season, following a run of four goals in four games. He ended up scoring five goals in the final seven games of the season. The former England youth international didn't start a Premier League game until April 20, where he scored a brace against Chelsea in a 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge.

With Nketiah's contract set to expire, a number of clubs have been rumored to be interested in taking on the forward, including fellow London side Crystal Palace.

Squad player Mohamed Elneny signed a contract extension (as per Arsenal's official website) earlier in the day. After the news, Arsenal supporters seemed disappointed by the news that the youngster will be extending his stay in north London.

Fans clearly feel they can do better, with the Gunners' lack of goals seen as a key reason as to why they missed out on fourth spot this season. Here are some of the best reactions to Nketiah's report:

@David_Ornstein @TheAthleticUK @SamiMokbel81_DM I’d rather he go, he’s done a good job but he’s not gonna take us to the next level

@David_Ornstein @TheAthleticUK @SamiMokbel81_DM DAVIDDDDD , but why tho? 👀

@David_Ornstein @TheAthleticUK @SamiMokbel81_DM I like eddie but this isn't progression

@David_Ornstein @adamclinton20 @TheAthleticUK @SamiMokbel81_DM Mid table mediocrity, here we go

@David_Ornstein @TheAthleticUK @SamiMokbel81_DM tap in merchant

@David_Ornstein @TheAthleticUK @SamiMokbel81_DM Great news for rivals.

Mikel Arteta claims Alexandre Lacazette's Arsenal future has already been decided

The Gunners' total of 61 top-flight goals this season was far less than any of the sides that got into the top four. Many fans had expected earlier that forwards Lacazette and Nketiah would be released this summer.

While Nketiah's future appears close to being revealed, Arteta did not specify what was next for the French forward. Lacazette has only scored two top-flight goals from open play across the entire campaign.

The 30-year-old has scored 71 goals in 206 Arsenal games since his arrival from Lyon in 2017. However, he failed to carry the goalscoring burden left by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who left for Barcelona in January.

According to L’Équipe, as quoted by Get French Football News, Arteta was asked about the futures of Lacazette, Elneny and Nketiah, to which the Spanish boss replied:

“I will talk to all three players, now or tomorrow. But we have clear ideas about what we want to do. [Their future] has been decided but it is very difficult to communicate it.

"To do it sooner, one way or the other, with three situations like these, would have been very, very clumsy.”

Arsenal manager Arteta on Nketiah, Elneny and Lacazette future: “It's been decided, but it's very difficult to communicate it”, quotes via @charles_watts. ⚪️🔴 #AFC

“What they deserve is to have what they had today”.