Eddie Nketiah failed his Newcastle audition amid free transfer rumours

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Eddie Nketiah had the chance to prove Newcastle should sign him on Monday night. However, he blew it.

The 22-year-old started up front for Arsenal at St James’ Park, looking to continue his impressive form in front of goal.

Mikel Arteta has thrust Nketiah into the starting XI in recent weeks, and the striker has delivered four goals. But he failed to add to his tally against Eddie Howe’s side.

The Newcastle defence kept an eighth clean sheet of the season, and perhaps dented Nketiah’s chances of moving to the North East.

Eddie Nketiah barely got a kick against Newcastle

In an alternative universe, Nketiah would have been representing Newcastle on Monday night. He nearly joined the Magpies in January, only for a deal to collapse on deadline day.

He’s been left to struggle for minutes at the Emirates, but finally chances have came his way late in the season. It comes across as a last gasp attempt by Arteta to convince Nketiah to sign a new contract.

The striker’s current deal ends this summer, meaning he can leave Arsenal on a free. Newcastle United are reportedly interested, with the Mirror naming them as one of multiple Premier League clubs eyeing his signature.

Eddie Howe is looking for a new striker, but Nketiah didn’t do enough to suggest it should be him.

He was anonymous for large parts of the game, barely getting a sniff of goal. Of course, he wasn’t alone in underperforming in an Arsenal shirt – they were all largely underwhelming. Arteta certainly wasn’t impressed with his side.

But Nketiah failed to be the focal point the Gunners needed. He didn’t hold anything up. The Newcastle centre-backs dominated him on the ground and in the air. Jamaal Lascelles was particularly towering when he replaced Fabian Schar.

In comparison, the Magpies had Callum Wilson up top who led the line expertly. We also had Chris Wood in reserve, who’s proven there’s more to being a striker than just scoring goals.

Newcastle will bring in a forward this summer, but Nketiah did little to suggest it should be him – even if it is on a free.