Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah 'in a brilliant place' to learn at Leeds, says England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd

Tom Doyle16 October 2019

Aidy Boothroyd believes Arsenal youngster Eddie Nketiah is in the ideal position to develop his game on loan at Leeds United as England's Under-21s reaped the rewards of the striker playing first-team football this season.

Nketiah is highly rated by Arsenal boss Unai Emery, but with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette ahead of him in the pecking order in north London, the 20-year-old was sent on loan to Leeds for the 2019-20 season in order to get regular football.

That decision looks a good one for Arsenal, Leeds and Nketiah, with the forward scoring four goals in nine appearances for the Championship club as they chase promotion to the Premier League.

Nketiah started England's Euro 2021 qualifier against Austria at Stadium MK on Tuesday night, and was in superb form with two first-half goals as the Young Lions went into the interval 4-0 ahead.

In Pictures | England U21s vs Austria U21s | 15/10/2019

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Nketiah completed his hat-trick after the break, and would have had four had he not seen a late penalty well saved as England eventually ran out 5-1 winners.

While the 20-year-old is yet to start for Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds in the Championship, Boothroyd thinks he is doing just fine with 10 goals in 13 games for club and country this season.

"[Nketiah] gets his minutes with us and I'm sure he'll do well at his club team," Boothroyd said.

"He is in a brilliant place, learning off a great coach and I know because he has said he is enjoying being there at such a big club and when he comes to us he is ready and fresh - hopefully we can send him back as a better player."

Additional reporting by PA.

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