Arsenal will play an important pre-season match against Bournemouth at 10:30am BST tomorrow morning. Before the match, Nketiah, a key player in Arsenal's squad, received an exclusive interview with the club, in which he not only expressed his anticipation for the match, but also looked back fondly on his career and shared his views on the current atmosphere in the dressing room.
Speaking about spending time with the youth players in the dressing room, Nketiah said, "Pre-season is definitely a great showcase for the lads who have yet to train or play with us. It's a chance for them to show what they can do and it's also a great opportunity for them to stay in shape and avoid injuries. I sincerely hope they can take advantage of this rare opportunity to add to their careers."
Nketiah further noted, "Pre-season is not only important for the rookies, but also for those of us who are already established in the first team. It is a stage for us to rediscover our form and make our mark. I know that anticipation and nervousness in the minds of the young players, so I do everything I can to make them feel comfortable knowing that we have a cohesive and loving team where everyone is willing to lend a hand and help each other grow."
Recalling his first pre-season experience with Arsenal's first team in 2017, Nketiah was filled with nostalgia and emotion: "It was an unforgettable time. I was very young at the time, and together with young players such as Willock and Nelsen, I got my first taste of the intensity and glamor of adult soccer. I was nervous, excited and eager to make my mark on the game. That experience gave me a deep sense of the professional attitude and hard work of the top players, who set an example for me with every training session and every recovery."
When asked if beating Bayern three years ago by two goals in a friendly counted as his blessing, Nketiah laughed: "To be honest, I didn't realize it was the same stadium before! But that win was definitely a major milestone in my career. I'm very proud to have shown my strength against such a strong opponent. That game reinforced my belief in my ability to compete at the top level and earned me the trust of my teammates and coaches. I believe that preseason is a valuable opportunity for every young player, and as long as they dare to show themselves and challenge themselves, they will be able to win their own stage."
