Arsenal loanee Eddie Nketiah opens up on Leeds United loan spell under Marcelo Bielsa

Arsenal loanee Eddie Nketiah has opened up over his loan spell with Leeds United
Leeds United loanee Eddie Nketiah greets fans at Elland Road.Leeds United loanee Eddie Nketiah greets fans at Elland Road.
Leeds United loanee Eddie Nketiah greets fans at Elland Road.

Eddie Nketiah believes his Leeds United loan spell has helped him develop both on and off the pitch under head coach Marcelo Bielsa.

The 20-year-old striker joined the Whites on a season-long loan deal in the summer but has found game time hard to come by at Elland Road so far this term.

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Nketiah is yet to make a Championship start for the Whites having made 13 league appearances from the bench which has led to concerns that the England Under-21s international could yet return to parent club Arsenal next month.

The Gunners loanee has still managed to bag five goals in all competitions for Leeds since moving to LS11 and was due to start against Queens Park Rangers last month before picking up a lower abdomen injury less than 24 hours ahead of kick-off.

Nketiah recently returned to the Whites matchday squad ahead of the busy Christmas period following a month out, and says he feels like he has already developed as a player and a person from his spell in West Yorkshire.

"It’s been a new experience," Nketiah told Gaffer magazine.

"You get to see the level of detail and preparation which he (Bielsa) puts in on a day-to-day basis. He’s really passionate about football. Above all else, he just loves the game. It’s been good to learn from him.

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"It’s still very early stages, but hopefully I can continue to learn from him to get a bigger run of games and use his advice to help me in my career.

"I wouldn’t say there’s been many surprises (coming to Leeds). Obviously, it’s a new culture, so it’s interesting to see how people approach training. It’s different to Arsenal. But, it’s something which I needed to do.

"I needed to move out of my comfort zone. The one thing which isn’t surprising is the size of the club, everyone in this city lives and loves the club.

"It’s been good for me to get away from London and experience a new culture, a new city. I feel like I’ve already developed a lot.

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"Being away, I’ve got to learn a lot about myself by coming out of my comfort zone and dealing with life on your own. I feel like I’ve matured personally. Leeds is a nice area.

"I live quite close to the city centre so it’s a great life. I’m really enjoying myself. Playing for a big club in a new city has been a lot of fun."