Eddie Nketiah insists he’ll never accept being a backup, and he’s going to push to show why he should be a starter at Arsenal.

Eddie Nketiah is currently on tour with Arsenal in America, and he started the Gunners’ last game against Manchester United, but he has strong competition for a spot in the team at the moment.

Gabriel Jesus was Arsenal’s starting striker for much of last season, and Leandro Trossard got some chances when Jesus and Nketiah were out.

Folarin Balogun has returned from a strong loan spell to make his case, and new signing Kai Havertz can also play up front – although he’s been used in midfield so far.

But Nketiah isn’t willing to accept a rotation role in the Arsenal squad.

“No I don’t think I have accepted (being a backup) and I will never accept that,” Nketiah said.

“That’s not my mentality. That’s not why I signed here to sit and be second best. I want to be the best, I want to play and that’s the mentality I have.

“I realise I might not play every game and that’s the coach’s decision but it’s never going to be my mentality to accept not playing.”

“I am going to always push in training to get opportunities to show why I think I should be playing and to give the manager a headache,” Nketiah added.

“Most players should have that mentality.

“There’s ways to do it. There is no point sitting around and moaning every day.

“The manager’s door is always open so you can have conversations but you have to show it on the pitch, there is no point sitting outside the pitch and complaining.”

Nketiah made 39 appearances for Arsenal last season, scoring nine goals and assisting three.

With 1,859 minutes on the pitch, that works out at a goal or assist every 155 minutes on average.

Those are good numbers, but given the competition at Arsenal, Nketiah will be looking to improve on them again if he wants to make himself a starter.