The Gunners striker spent time on loan at Leeds in the 2019-20 campaign and is looking to put that experience to good use in north London.
Eddie Nketiah credits Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa for making him a better player for Arsenal despite suffering a difficult loan spell at Elland Road that led to his recall to the Emirates Stadium. .
England’s top U21 international tied for the Whites at the start of the 2019-20 campaign.
Leeds accepted his potential, but Patrick Bamford’s form and Bielsa’s penchant for the youngster’s lonely face left him feeling sad on the sidelines.
A season-long contract was finally cut short, with Mikel Arteta welcoming the promising striker back to his plans.
Nketiah made just 19 appearances for Leeds across all competitions, including just two Championship starts, but believes experience outside of north London has been beneficial to him.
“I’m grateful for my time at Leeds,” said the 21-year-old talkSPORT.
“Bielsa is a very critical manager, so every day I was pushing myself to the lowest level in training, and I feel like I have been in the mind at Arsenal, to give my part in training and in games.
“I learned a lot defensively off the ball with the way Leeds play, I learned a lot about the importance of front pressure, front defense and the potential impact. being on the team and the way we play.
“I definitely learned a lot, I put myself out of my comfort zone which was a good thing for me, it has made me a lot stronger mentally and it has developed me as a player.
“I’m grateful for my time there.
“Of course, things worked out for me in the end by coming back to Arsenal, so I am grateful for the experience I have had and I feel like it did. a better player and a better man for me. ”
Nketiah sees another loan move spoken by the January transfer window open, as he struggles to start in 2020-21, but Arteta shows faith in adolescence and opportunities are expected to come. -in at some point.
“It’s great to see the young players currently playing doing so well,” Nketiah said.
“B. [Bukayo Sako] doing well, Emile [Smith Rowe] has joined the team and done well too, it ‘s good to see everyone making an impact and working hard and showing their confidence.
“As young players I think we are always trying to get that breath out, that energy and that commitment.
“I always try to have some freedom and confidence. Obviously the manager allows us to have that confidence by building us up and giving us that game time.
“It’s been great to see the young players doing so well, so hopefully we can continue to make an impact and keep helping the team.”