The young striker has grasped his chance since returning to the Emirates in January and scored in the 3-2 win over Everton.
Eddie Nketiah has hailed the influence of Alexandre Lacazette after launching his Premier League accounts for the season.
The 20-year-old scored Arsenal’s first goal in Sunday’s 3-2 win against Everton, justifying Mikel Arteta’s decision to start him ahead of Lacazette for the second successive weekend.
It was Nketiah’s second goal in all competitions since returning from his loan spell with Leeds in January and his first in the Premier League because of the success at Burnley on the last day of last season.
And the young forward was quick to pay tribute to Lacazette for the way he proceeds to help him, regardless of the Frenchman finding himself on the bench for consecutive Sundays.
“Obviously he’s a mature lady and a fantastic player,” said Nketiah. “He always tries to encourage me.
“He’s been a young player in my position so that he understands what it’s like. There are no hostilities, he is just always seeking to assist and enhance and it shows the maturity he has.
“He has had an excellent career so all I could do is take the advice he gives me and attempt to implement it in my game and do what I do best.”
Nketiah has forged a strong relationship with both Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during the last few years, with both global strikers taking the young frontman under their wing.
On the pitch, they have not played much together – but through the week in London Colney the 3 strikers operate closely and for Nketiah it is a valuable learning curve.
“It’s great,” said the academy merchandise. “They’re really great guys off the area and obviously top strikers.
“I just try to concentrate on myself and find out from them, see what they do well and try to take out of it and improve.
“They’re always ready to give advice and speak to me whenever I need it. It is great to have two great strikers to learn from.
“I’m only trying to improve every day and listen to the people around me, my loved ones and coaches really enhance, take each day as it comes and get better.”
Sunday’s match against Everton, which saw Arsenal move to within four points of fifth-placed Manchester United from the league, was Nketiah’s fifth because his loan spell with Leeds with cut brief.
When he originally returned from Elland Road, Nketiah seemed certain to venture out on loan , with Bristol City expected to land for the rest of the season.
He was briefly listed as on loan with the Championship club on the official Arsenal website, just for Arteta to opt to keep hold of him having been impressed by his performances in training.
“He was a bit 50-50 on letting me go anyway and I was 50-50 too,” Nketiah explained. “I try to give my all in training and treat it like a game. He enjoys this mindset and clearly the quality I have, I try to showcase that.
“It is just about working hard, I’m thankful he has given me the chance he’s and I only need to keep learning.
“He’s a good manager and has a true determination to assist and enhance young players and the senior players too.
“I only need to keep learning him off, make sure my mindset is right daily and keep improving.”
Nketiah added:”My Leeds experience was great for me, I learned as a participant. I may not have played as much as I want but I had great moments when I was there.
“I believe I developed in that environment but clearly now it’s a different situation, talking to Mikel and the belief that he showed in me I really did think he would give me chances if I continued to work hard.
“I think all my life which is what I have done and Arsenal are clearly a high club and I encourage them so that I always wanted to play.
“It’s the best thing to have this opportunity today and I only need to keep improving and take more chances.”
