5 Premier League players who need a loan move in January

#4 Eddie Nketiah

A loan move could help the development of youngster Eddie Nketiah

Coming into 2018/19, there was somewhat of a buzz around three English youngsters plying their trade at Arsenal – Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah. Nelson, of course, made a loan move to German side Hoffenheim in the summer, and he’s proven to be a Bundesliga hit since – scoring 6 goals thus far. Smith Rowe meanwhile has played 5 games for Arsenal’s first team in the Carabao Cup and Europa League and has 2 goals.

Nketiah, however, has yet to play a game for the Gunners this season, which is surprising given the way he started his Arsenal career in 2017/18 – with a brace against Norwich in the EFL Cup which was followed by a handful of cameo appearances in the Premier League.

Whether this is simply down to the form of the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Iwobi, or perhaps down to an issue between Nketiah and new Arsenal boss Unai Emery is largely unknown, but Nketiah is a fantastic prospect and the lack of football that he’s experiencing right now is only going to stunt his development.

Like his teammate Nelson, Nketiah could well benefit from a loan move abroad, but if that isn’t possible then there simply has to be a Championship or even a League One club who would love to have a young striker of his calibre for the remainder of 2018/19. Hopefully, he can find himself a move in January so that his development can continue away from the Emirates.