Eddie Nketiah received his first call up to the England national team on Thursday, and Mikel Arteta was full of pride for our young forward.
Our academy graduate earned his place in Gareth Southgate’s squad having started the 2023/24 campaign in fine form, scoring against Nottingham Forest and Fulham and contributing to our 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.
“I’m so pleased. If someone deserves to be in the England squad, that’s him,” Arteta said in his pre-Manchester United press conference on Friday.
“He’s an academy player that had some moments when his pathway wasn’t very clear and he had to fight.
“I love his mentality, his work rate, how much he loves the game, and how hard he’s fought to be recognised at that level.
“In this country, to play there is phenomenal. I’m so happy for him.
"It has happened for a reason - the way he pushes himself every single day to be as best as he possibly can and give us everything."
Read everything else the boss said in his pre-match press conference, including his reaction to the UEFA Champions League draw and Sunday’s game against Manchester United.
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