Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Matthew Holt

'Things will happen naturally' - National media react to Arsenal win that boosts top-four hopes

Arsenal stepped ever closer to a top-four finish with a nervy 2-1 win over Leeds United at the Emirates, as forward Eddie Nketiah twice found the net.

The Whites were reduced to 10 men when Luke Ayling was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Gabriel Martinelli to further compound their relegation woes. The result leaves Mikel Arteta's side just one point behind third place Chelsea, and with only three games remaining, the Gunners could now secure their best league finish since the 2015/16 campaign.

With 22-year-old Nketiah's future still not set in stone with his contract expiring at the end of the season, many pundits and former professionals have commented on now being the only chance the forward could get at nailing down a solid place in Arteta's plans.

READ MORE: Eddie Nketiah makes Mikel Arteta worry as Nicolas Pepe edges closer to Arsenal exit

With Pierre-Emmerick Aubameyang gone and Alexandre Lacazette likely to head for the exit door too, the Arsenal academy graduate is doing all he seemingly can to win over the hearts of the fanbase.

As they do with every game, the UK's national media reacted to the victory, as the Guardian wrote: "Was this evidence that Arsenal will breeze across the finishing line and secure what, given the gloom around their prospects in August, would be a sensational return to Champions League football?"

Continuing along the same theme, surrounding Nketiah's imminent future, the Daily Express said: "Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants Eddie Nketiah to be left alone from answering questions on his immediate future after his brace against Leeds with the belief "things will happen naturally". Much has been made about Arsenal's striker situation ahead of the summer window, with both Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette out of contract at the end of the season."

And finally, the Mirror added: "Not only that, Arsenal are now hot on Chelsea's heels, one point behind them but boasting a considerably weaker goal difference. Having slumped to eighth last term, finishing behind only Liverpool and Manchester City in the table would be a rather remarkable feat by Arteta, and further proof that the process is indeed working."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.