---
title: "Arsenal: Ian Wright hopes Eddie Nketiah is given loan opportunity"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-ian-wright-hopes-eddie-nketiah-is-given-loan-opportunity/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Stephan Georgiou"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2019-08-05T19:55:00Z"
modified: "2019-08-05T19:55:00Z"
---

# Arsenal: Ian Wright hopes Eddie Nketiah is given loan opportunity

**Arsenal legend Ian Wright has urged the club to allow striker Eddie Nketiah to go out on loan for first-team action next season, following reported interest from Swansea City. Indeed, even more recently, Bristol City have also been linked by the [Bristol Post](https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/bristol-city-lead-cardiff-city-3175645).**

20-year-old Nketiah spent last year on the fringes of the Arsenal first team, making just [three starts](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/eddie-nketiah/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/340324/plus/0?saison=2018&verein=11&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) all season after seeing a loan move to Bundesliga outfit [Augsburg](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/revealed-eddie-nketiah-not-leave-15782391) fall through in the January transfer window.

And that formed part of Wright’s frustration, as the youngster has showcased his talent for the Gunners in pre-season with three goals as Arsenal prepared for the upcoming campaign with wins over the likes of [Bayern Munich](https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2019-Jul-18/bayern-munich-1-2-arsenal-match-report) and [Fiorentina](https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2019-Jul-20/fiorentina-0-3-arsenal-match-report).

According to [WalesOnline](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/swansea-city-reveal-stance-arsenals-16701427), Swansea are thought to be interested in making a temporary move for Nketiah – and following reports breaking of interest from the Championship club, Wright laid out his frustrations with this post on Twitter:

> Loan needs to happen. He’s ready and needs to play! Loan to Germany should have happened last season. It’s my worry for all younger ones – if we don’t start well they getting no time!!!!
>
> — Ian Wright (@IanWright0) [August 5, 2019](https://twitter.com/IanWright0/status/1158322702622629888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Nketiah has only made [19 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/eddie-nketiah/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/340324/plus/0?saison=&verein=11&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=) since making his Arsenal debut in 2017 under former boss Arsene Wenger, while the club allowed other youngsters such as [Emile Smith Rowe](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/emile-smith-rowe/transfers/spieler/392765) and [Reiss Nelson](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jumplist/transfers/spieler/340325) to go out on loan last season.

However, the striker has been granted a new [squad number](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jumplist/rueckennummern/spieler/340324) at the club, which may suggest plans from Unai Emery to integrate Nketiah further into the first team, as he followed the likes of [Nelson](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/reiss-nelson/rueckennummern/spieler/340325) and [Joe Willock](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jumplist/rueckennummern/spieler/340329) in being given a new number ahead of the new season.

All three featured heavily in pre-season and have [all](https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2019-Jul-20/fiorentina-0-3-arsenal-match-report) been amongst the [goals](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49183164) during Arsenal’s warm-up fixtures.

Although it may be a tall order for Nketiah to force his way into the starting XI as backup for the free-scoring duo of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – who [netted](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49229549) in the Gunners’ recent defeat to Barcelona – and Alexandre Lacazette, with the Arsenal strikers notching a combined [50 goals](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/top-scorers) last season.

Therefore, Wright could be justifiably concerned about Nketiah’s potential game time as the deadline for Premier League and Championship clubs looms.