Arsenal defender Gabriel has called critics of Eddie Nketiah's new Gunners deal 'ungrateful' — and club legend Ian Wright waded in to a row over the striker being handed record goalscorer Thierry Henry's old number 14 shirt.
Out-of-contract Nketiah has ended growing uncertainty about his future by signing a new long-term deal at Arsenal, posing with the shirt number made iconic by Henry during the striking great's sensational first eight years at the club.
News of the decision on Saturday led to a row on social media, where some fans saw the move as a sign of Arsenal's decline from their days with the prolific Henry as their top scorer.
World Cup winner Henry won the Premier League Golden Boot four times and the top-flight title twice after joining Arsenal in 1999.
While the club were ever-present in the Champions League from Henry's second season, Arsenal did not play in Europe in the 2021/22 campaign following four successive years in the Europa League.
Academy product Nketiah added only five goals to his current tally of 10 in the Premier League for his boyhood club, scored across a total of 59 top-flight appearances.
Responding to rumblings of discontent about Nketiah's deal, teammate Gabriel offered an upside-down smiling emoji and asked: 'How can you be so ungrateful? OMG [oh my god].'
When one commenter branded Nketiah 'not good enough for number 14', said the club should have allowed his contract to expire and suggested he would not develop and was too costly, Wright asked: 'What's a number?'
Wright, who has the second-most Premier League goals for the club behind Henry, thundered: 'Why don't you say nothing if you have nothing positive to say to our players?
'You can never call yourself an Arsenal fan with negativity of this nature. Would you say this to Eddie's face? If not, STFU [shut the f*** up].'
The former Arsenal record goalscorer admitted last season that he wanted to see more from Nketiah, suggesting the England Under-21s record scorer had not proven himself despite the departure of ex-top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in February.
Nketiah had a purple patch in April and May, scoring braces in wins over Chelsea and Leeds as the prospect became manager Mikel Arteta's first-choice forward.
Arteta is known to be pursuing new strikers following Arsenal's release of Alexandre Lacazette and wants to sign Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus, but said he was 'delighted' at Nketiah's new £100,000-a-week deal.
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.'
Arsenal players to have worn the No 14 shirt include Aubameyang, Theo Walcott, Martin Keown, Alan Smith, Ray Parlour, David O'Leary and 1988/89 hero Michael Thomas — although Thomas was not wearing 14 when he scored the title-deciding goal at Liverpool on the final day of the season.
Kepbikosuy
1
I have a strong believe dat Eddie do better if he is given more playing time
boyaemty
1
Nketia is better and people must remember that Arteta did not give enough playing time last season to prove himself but he did great when he was given the opportunity to.
SawHotz
1
I'd love to hear what Henry would have to say about this.
Natanya_Barrett
0
THEO Walcott that wore the number 14 shirt, didn't see anything special in him. but I believe nketiah would improve this season, we shouldn't make the number 14 shirt so special..
atleast young walcott was much better than nketiah
Natanya_Barrett
0
this man won't play regularly if we sign a top strikers then why giving him one of the best no.14 wore by our top ex strikers I don't really understand what is going on in this arsenal team anymore
that's why I'm trying to limit the amount of news I read on arsenal because it's all disappointing
Tazbcnpy
0
this man won't play regularly if we sign a top strikers then why giving him one of the best no.14 wore by our top ex strikers I don't really understand what is going on in this arsenal team anymore
If number 14 becomes an issue, I wonder if he were given number 10
Miockmnt
1
arsenal is currently not good enough to a player using number 14🤣
woslmnotyz
1
this man won't play regularly if we sign a top strikers then why giving him one of the best no.14 wore by our top ex strikers I don't really understand what is going on in this arsenal team anymore
Jobabnrtuz
0
The behaviour of fans are just unspeakable. I believe even Henry himself won’t have problem with this but some fans acting like it’s the only tribute they got. Your positive talk and motivation can even help him improve and do more. I remember how Barcelona fans always cheers Fati when ever he entere the pitch with the no. 10 and he is doing just well
Badaiknsy
1
THEO Walcott that wore the number 14 shirt, didn't see anything special in him. but I believe nketiah would improve this season, we shouldn't make the number 14 shirt so special..
Really
jasondrx77
0
And yet he is considered an Arsenal Legend I believe in Nketiah. He just needs to gain confidence and a bit more experienced by getting more game time
true true 👍
lukeiknprt
6
england trying to convince Eddie, matinelli requested for the shirt but they refuse
Humancal44
3
Thank you Wrighty 😊 Best uncle in the world
Baaeknru
3
big number for big players, I have no doubt that Nketiah is going to earn this....... is moves like this that is going to impact the minds of our young men at Hale End.
enigmaGunners92
4
I just wish Eddie can take on this iconic Number with goals and chances
mancsupporter
0
ur the dumbest nd most disappointing guy
Answear my question, what has nketiah shown? What silverware does he have to show for backing up he is better than Jesus who has more epl titles than Thierry Henry ever had
Timaimsu
1
THEO Walcott that wore the number 14 shirt, didn't see anything special in him. but I believe nketiah would improve this season, we shouldn't make the number 14 shirt so special..
Rosabcsty
0
hahah.... t.henry is our king of soccer
cuubcdelu
0
Nationality swiech loading next week
phemoranking
0
this news is for Arsenal fans not me , am less concern with it.........👌
malablata
2
Arsenal players to have worn the No 14 shirt include Aubameyang, Theo Walcott, Martin Keown, Alan Smith, Ray Parlour, David O'Leary and 1988/89 hero Michael Thomas — although Thomas was not wearing 14 when he scored the title-deciding goal at Liverpool on the final day of the season. What's @autty smoking? Meaning Henry plays golf right?
Drypenganmaster-237_
0
you are are right, not even Walcott got close to Henry's goals.
And yet he is considered an Arsenal Legend I believe in Nketiah. He just needs to gain confidence and a bit more experienced by getting more game time
Piabeiotz
0
Lol that is redicelous, Gabriel is proven epl striker, what has nketiah shown?
ur the dumbest nd most disappointing guy
jasondrx77
0
Thts the problem with some Gunners. Why wld u expect him to be the same as Henry?? He can be special in his own different way. He doesn't have to be "Thierry Henry 2" He can make the name "Eddie Nketiah" Iconic. BELIEVE IT
you are are right, not even Walcott got close to Henry's goals.
Drypenganmaster-237_
4
Thts the problem with some Gunners. Why wld u expect him to be the same as Henry?? He can be special in his own different way. He doesn't have to be "Thierry Henry 2" He can make the name "Eddie Nketiah" Iconic. BELIEVE IT
Joubcikory
0
wish you the best and even better than our hello Henry
9jaNinja8903
0
Keep proving the haters wrong, Eddie, your next renewal will be in the region of 300k per week. COYG!
Bioailmnou
2
Wishing all well for Eddie Nketieh!
Dushimane2233
0
Lol that is redicelous, Gabriel is proven epl striker, what has nketiah shown?
Ridiculous*
Kitbelnpu
3
only number interested in is 20 plus goals for the season
bedmnprz
5
Number doesn’t mean anything, those days are gone, just wish the player well
-death
0
how many of you think this news is useless
[image]
Me 🙋♂️
Franciscoked
2
Eddie is a good player. all he needs is enough game play. now hand that #9 Jersey to jesus
Bidalopsuz
4
Eddie is home grown and should rightly be treated like family. Hope no. 14 is lucky for you like it was for Henry. Give it your all.
mancsupporter
0
eddy is far better than Gabriel jesus. congs boy
Jesus is epl proven, what has nketiah shown us? What has he won?
mancsupporter
0
eddy is far better than Gabriel jesus. congs boy
Lol that is redicelous, Gabriel is proven epl striker, what has nketiah shown?
RamoneMcKenzie
5
He doesn’t have to be like Henry, he can be iconic in his own way.
Sosst
4
Im so glad to hear a player call out so called fans who just bicker & cry for nothing as if they themselves have the talent to play🤦🏽♂️Its a game to watch & enjoy THATS IT💡why is it taken so serious by people? If the world was this serious about true productive change the world would be in a better place.Again,its about time a player called out so called fans,Stop the complaining YOUR NOT THE ANSWER YOUR THE PROBLEM💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡💡
RamoneMcKenzie
3
Well said wrighty? They’re ungrateful these bunch of Arsenal fans. Push the player to now produce his best performance in the iconic number 14 shirt.
bluebloods
0
Arsenal fans are ungrateful because the called out a player that has done nothing for the club is just horrendous 😂😂😂😂
Nieelmruz
1
eddy is far better than Gabriel jesus. congs boy
Alhafson
1
how many of you think this news is useless
muzzy05564
1
This guy is on another level so leave him alone let him enjoy his new contract
TTVFINSTERNE1234
3
No one can take the number 14 from the top dog Henry
rilexy17
1
why would u expect him to be like Henry is dat possible
JreyW
5
why put so much pressure on him... give him as much ease to succeed