Arteta insists Arsenal wants Nketiah to stay.

Mikel Arteta hails Eddie Nketiah after he got an hattrick against Sunderland as he insists the club wants the youngster to stay.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says the club wants Eddie Nketiah to stay in the club, he made this known after an incredible performance in the Carabao cup.

The Gunners hosted and defeated the Sunderland 5-1 in the Carabao cup and Nketiah scored an hattrick in the game.

Speaking to the club media after the game Arteta said: “I tell you every day that we want to keep Eddie. We see how he trains, that’s what he does every day, he works so hard and puts the ball in the net every session. I am really delighted with him. Every time we have needed him, he has always responded.”

The Spaniard stated that Nketiah had lots of options during the transfer window but situation at the club made him stay back.

Arteta further stated that he really don’t know whether the youngster can stay back because he needs game time.

“The way we planned the squad and the way his situation looked in the window, he had a lot of options to go and we thought that was probably the best way to go. But the way we assembled the squad the situation changed and he decided to stay and it was hard to found minutes for him. But he’s finding the space right now and is using his minutes really well.

“We are trying. It’s not about anything else but minutes. He wants gametime, he wants to be on that field and that is the only reason to say, ‘Can I do it here?’ That’s the question. We all want him to stay.”

Nketiah also spoke after the game and obviously a happy man after he got the hattrick.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “It’s great to go through to the next round, and obviously lovely to score a hat-trick in the process.

“I am just really grateful to my team-mates for the assists, and grateful to be out there to contribute.

“It’s a different feeling [to my debut against Norwich] but that night will always live long as a special memory. It’s another one to add to the collection and obviously it’s nice to get my first senior hat-trick and now I’m looking for and hungry for more.

“My family were here watching and to share that moment with the supporters is great for me, and the boys have signed [the match ball] so I will keep it and remember it. It’s a good moment.”

The manager Mikel Arteta praised the young player as he said he always contribute anytime is called upon to play and also has smell for goals.

“Every time we have played him, he has responded with goals, with assists, with his work-rate and he continues to do so. He is getting better and better every day,” Arteta told Arsenal Media.

“He has the smell for goals. He knows where the ball is going to land, his timing, his movement around the box, the capacity he has to finish with different [finishes] like he has today. We are really happy with him.”

Meanwhile, another  youngster Charlie Patino was on the scoresheet just few minute after he came on as the fan began to sing his name.

Arteta stated that they need to take their timewith Patino as too much hype will not be  good for the young player.

“I think that is very positive [that the fans were singing his name]. They heard about him and know what he can become and now we have to cook him slowly. Today was a good start, I think.

“[Too much hype around him] is what we have to avoid. He still has a lot of competition in front of him. He is really young. And he needs to go step by step. Today he was lucky, he got the opportunity and he took it really well.”

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