Arsenal wonder-boy signs professional contract after scoring 24 times in 28 appearances

Arsenal rising star Eddie Nketiah signed a professional contract with the club after enjoying an impressive campaign last season scoring 24 times in 28 academy games.

The 17-year-old was the top scorer for the academy side last season and was rewarded with a professional contract.

Congratulations, Eddie ? https://t.co/FkSpvoZDBK

                                — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) 

                                      September 14, 2016

The Arsenal youth has also been in impressive form this season scoring four times in his first three league games for the side coached by Kwame Ampadu.

Nketiah also made his debut in the UEFA Youth League on Tuesday, making an appearance in the goalless draw against PSG.

Nigeria football future seems bright with this young talents

Nigeria football future seems bright with upcoming talents like two of Nigeria’s biggest starlets have been on the fringes of proceedings for Manchester City and Arsenal respectively this season, with Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi both highly regarded by both club and country.

Two of Nigeria’s biggest starlets have been on the fringes of proceedings for Manchester City and Arsenal respectively this season, with Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi both highly regarded by both club and country.

Both players have already made their senior debuts for Nigeria, but it is at club level where they have made the most significant impact.

Last Saturday seemed to be a pivotal day in the careers of both starlets. While Iheanacho was enhancing his rapidly growing reputation by scoring a hat-trick for City against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, Iwobi, in his new position of central-midfield, was producing a terrific performance for Arsenal against Burnley in the same competition.

City have so much faith in Iheanacho’s ability that they elected not to sign an additional forward during the January transfer window, with the prospect, who has an average shot accuracy of 60% in the Premier League this season, considered by manager Manuel Pellegrini to be good enough to make a substantial impact at the highest level of the game despite his lack of experience.

Iwobi, meanwhile, has been racking up the minutes for Arsenal and has made four Premier League appearances so far, registering an average pass accuracy of 90%.

An intriguing prospect, he rose through the ranks as a winger but has adapted seamlessly to playing in central-midfield and is likely to be loaned out at some point next season.

Iwobi is likely to be joined by two more talented young Nigerians at Arsenal soon, with Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze set to seal moves to the club.

The pair, an attacking midfielder and left winger respectively, shone as Nigeria won the U17 World Cup last year and are seen as being the tip of the iceberg with regards to the country’s ever-growing list of talents for the future.

During the recent transfer window, CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa was linked with several major clubs, with the 23-year-old having made a considerable impact for the Russian team.

Musa is already the captain of the Nigeria national team and seems set for a move to a more high-profile side in the not too distant future.

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that Nigeria are making excellent progress in their youth development. But the most encouraging aspect is that these players are highly regarded by English clubs, who aren’t afraid to provide the prospects with an opportunity to impress.

It will take much more work to transform Nigeria into a nation that is capable of competing for honours on the world stage, but the Super Eagles are certainly moving in the right direction, with the future of their national side looking very bright indeed.

Benzema rubbishes talk on Arsenal transfer rumour

Arsenal suffer £50m knockout blow as French ace Karim Benzema rubbishes Emirates deal Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has rubbished any chance of signing for Arsenal this summer.

The French international has been linked with a staggering £50m Gunners move throughout the summer, fuelled by claims he was surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.

However, Benzema took to Twitter to break Arsenal hearts by rubbishing the speculation, he wrote: "For all those clowns who want to make believe things at my fans. Here this is my home!"

Rafa Benitez, who took over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, has set the Frenchman a target of 25 goals for the season, something he has not achieved since 2011-12 when he netted 31.

“For all those clowns who want to make believe things at my fans. Here this is my home!”

Karim Benzema

In a recent press conference, Benitez said: "I have said many times that I am convinced Benzema is a great forward.

"That's why I set him a target of 25 goals to motivate him and so he can express himself.

"So we have a lot of attacking options and that's why right now we are not looking for a striker."  

Arsenal beaten as Cech had a nightmare debut

Petr Cech endured a miserable Premier League debut for Arsenal as West Ham ended an eight-year wait for a win over their London rivals with a surprise 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Cech was billed as the player who could make the difference for Arsene Wenger's side as they attempt to be crowned champions for the first time in 12 years this season, but the former Chelsea goalkeeper was culpable for both West Ham goals on Sunday.

The Czech Republic international flapped at a Dimitri Payet free-kick to allow Cheikhou Kouyate to head home just before half-time and reacted slowly to a long-range Mauro Zarate strike after the break that doubled West Ham's lead.

There was no way back for the home side in their first top-flight game of the season, as West Ham claimed their first victory over Arsenal in 16 attempts stretching back to 2007.

While Cech was left red-faced, Slaven Bilic celebrated an unexpected three points in his first Premier League game in charge, just three days after he was criticised for fielding a weakened side as West Ham crashed out of the UEFA Europa League with a defeat against Astra.

Mathieu Debuchy made his first Premier League start since January in the absence of Hector Bellerin (thigh), while Alexis Sanchez was named among the substitutes as he builds up his fitness after inspiring Chile to Copa America glory.

West Ham midfielder Reece Oxford became the second-youngster player after Jose Baxter to start a Premier League game at the age of 16, with new signings Payet and Angelo Ogbonna also making their top-flight debuts.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal's match-winner against Chelsea in the Community Shield last weekend, let fly with a rasping volley that flashed over the crossbar 10 minutes in.

Oxlade-Chamberlain then surged down the right at full tilt and delivered a cross beyond the far post into the path of Santi Cazorla, but his cushioned volley landed on the roof of the net.

Arsenal were in the ascendancy as Aaron Ramsey's strike from just outside the penalty area looped up and struck the crossbar after deflecting off Aaron Cresswell just after the half-hour mark.

It was West Ham who were in front three minutes before half-time, though, as the usually commanding Cech had a moment to forget.

Cech came out to try and punch clear a Payet free-kick from the right, but Kouyate beat him to it and hit the back of an empty Arsenal net with a towering header.

Olivier Giroud spun and fired into the side-netting and then forced an impressive stop from Adrian as Arsenal strived for an equaliser at the start of the second half.

But the home side's task became even greater 12 minutes after the break, when Zarate turned sharply and unleashed a long-range strike that beat Cech at his near post.

Wenger sent on Sanchez after 67 minutes and teenager Oxford was given a great ovation by the travelling fans when he was replaced by Kevin Nolan 12 minutes from time.

Cazorla's long-range drive was kept out by Adrian and Giroud shot high and wide as Arsenal looked short of ideas and in need of additional firepower.

Confident Oxlade-Chamberlain hits back at Keane

Arsenal attacker Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain insisted his side can challenge for the Premier League as he hit back at Roy Keane.

Former Manchester United captain Keane had suggested Arsene Wenger's team were "more interested in selfies and six-packs", before Oxlade-Chamberlain fired them to a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 21, dismissed the criticism and said Arsenal were ready to push for their first league title since 2003-04.

"It's a new era, isn’t it? Some people do it, some don’t," the England international said when asked about Keane's comments.

Earn thousands of dollars with just $40

"We’re serious about winning trophies. Personally, and I can speak for the rest of the squad, we’ve been serious every single year I’ve been at the club about winning trophies.

"You can see that on the pitch. A lot of people don’t see when we lose and go through tough times how upset and disappointed we are. We’ve always wanted to win trophies and in the last years we’ve won a few. This season we want to go that one better."

Oxlade-Chamberlain feels he has never been part of an Arsenal squad with so much confidence and believes his team proved a point against Chelsea.

The 20-time England international, who has been at the club since 2011, said his side's approach to big games had been a worry.

"Ever since I’ve been at Arsenal, we’ve had numerous quality players and the whole squad had been very strong," Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

"It just seemed that in the big games we came up short sometimes and you wonder why.

"The mentality going into those games was definitely a big thing. Since I’ve been here we’ve steadily got better at that, especially last year.

"A game like that against Chelsea is always important because they are a good side and it’s great to come away with some silverware."

Walcott claims victory for Arsenal

Theo Walcott scored the only goal of the game for Arsenal as they rounded off the Emirates Cup with a 1-0 win over Bundesliga runners-up Wolfsburg on Sunday.

Arsenal ensured they topped the table in the pre-season competition as Walcott - reportedly close to agreeing a new deal at the club - proved the match-winner at the Emirates Stadium.

On his first Arsenal start, youngster Jeff Reine-Adelaide marked an impressive display with an expert assist for Walcott's opener shortly after the interval.

Arsene Wenger's side hammered Ligue 1 opponents Lyon 6-0 on Saturday but there was to be no such rout against Dieter Hecking's well-drilled DFB-Pokal champions.

Making his home debut, Petr Cech was made to work for a clean sheet as Arsenal made it two wins from two ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley.

Kevin De Bruyne - named German player of the year on Sunday - threatened down the left early on but Cech was on hand to collect the Belgian's delivery.

Close-season signing Cech will have been concerned as former Arsenal man Nicklas Bendtner just failed to make contact with a dangerous De Bruyne delivery from the right.

The Czech's opposite number Diego Benaglio was called on to deny Walcott soon after but it was the Bundesliga side who continued to threaten more frequently - De Bruyne showing why he is a reported target for Manchester City.

With chances largely at a premium in a goalless first half, Timm Klose shanked an effort over the crossbar for the visitors while Mesut Ozil's side-footed effort rolled wide of the far post following a slick passing move.

Arsenal had their breakthrough five minutes into the second half when Reine-Adelaide offered a glimpse of his potential - threading a ball for Walcott to calmly finish past Benaglio.

The largely impressive De Bruyne then ballooned an effort over, having skipped inside Mikel Arteta, before Ricardo Rodriguez saw a long-range strike easily saved by Cech.

The former Chelsea man was tested again by a fierce drive from midfielder Josuha Guilavogui as Wolfsburg piled on the pressure.

It was to no avail, however, Wenger's men topping the standings by three points from Villarreal ahead of the all-London curtain-raiser at Wembley in a week's time.

Arsenal in good position to seal £34.5m Gonzalo Higuain transfer

Arsenal is said to be at the top of signing Napoli striker after reports shows that the Italian striker is likely to qiuit the club.

The Italian star, who came close to signing with the Gunners after he left Real Madrid in 2013, is now ready to quit the club if they fail to qualify for Champions league.

The striker told Napoli he has no intentions of being with the club to play European league next season if they fail to end in the top three position.

Liverpool have been heavily linked with Higuain from the past, but their defeat to Arsenal over the weekend has handed the Gunners more chances for transfer talks.

Arsene Wenger’s forward line looks settled with Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez, but Higuain would add superstar quality.

He would likely cost £34.5million to sign – a bargain considering he’s scored 30 goals in 60 matches at Napoli.

Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2005–2007	River Plate	35	(15)
2007–2013	Real Madrid	190	(107)
2013–	Napoli	60	(30

Arsenal will 'exploit' second chance - Wenger

Arsenal are determined to “exploit” their second chance as they head to Monaco fighting to save their UEFA Champions League season.

Arsene Wenger takes his side to former club Monaco on Tuesday with a 3-1 deficit from the first leg of their last-16 tie.

After being ripped apart on the counter at home, Wenger hopes to utilise all his nous and experience in big occasions to guide Arsenal into the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.

He said: “Monaco are in a very strong position but we have experience, and the desire and belief that we can do it. So we are here to do it. 

“We will have to play on full power, focusing on our offensive and defensive games. The desire is there.

“I am confident. The odds are stacked against us, but we will give absolutely everything to turn the tie around. We will show a different face. 

“In the first leg we failed, which was surprising given our form. We have a second chance and we will exploit it. 

“It is a special moment for me but experience allows me to manage the pressure. 

“We must have a great game, do our best and give our all. If we did not believe in ourselves we would not have turned up.”