EPL: Don’t leave Emirates, you’ll end up scratching your head – Paul Merson warns Arsenal star

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson has warned Eddie Nketiah against leaving the Emirates this January, insisting the youngster would regret the move.

Merson believes the striker, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is at a critical juncture in his development.

There is mounting uncertainty over the 22-year-old’s future ahead of the January transfer window, with the Ghana eligible player scoring five goals in five Carabao Cup appearances this season.

The player has grown frustrated over a lack of regular playing time under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates and has swiftly rejected Arsenal’s latest contract offer.

Arsenal’s London rivals, Crystal Palace have been credited with a strong interest in the forward this winter.

“Where do you go? Go and play at Crystal Palace and all of a sudden you’re playing up front and you’re working on scraps,” Merson said on Sky Sports.

“You’re touching the ball twice a game, you’re coming off the pitch and scratching your head, going: ‘I didn’t even get a chance today!’

“…It’s alright playing football but you’ve got to make the right move. The agent will be saying to him, ‘Move on, move on! Get out of here, I can buy my girlfriend a car!!’, do you know what I mean? Think of the lad.

“If he goes to Crystal Palace, no disrespect to them, it’s a bad situation at Crystal Palace, but he could go somewhere like Brighton and he might get four chances a game.”

EPL: Arsenal’s hat-trick hero rejects new contract, vows to leave Emirates