Eddie Nketiah has opened up on his relationship with Arsenal duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
The 21-year-old is in direct competition with the pair as he looks to cement a place in manager Mikel Arteta's strongest XI.
So far this season, Nketiah has had to settle for a back-up role when it comes to Premier League games as he's started just once from Arsenal's opening eight games.
But despite Arteta's preference for Aubameyang and Lacazette in attack, Nketiah insists he has a positive relationship with the pair and often goes to them for advice.
"I’ve got a very good relationship with both of them," Nketiah told The Athletic. "They’re top players whose records speak for themselves. Off the pitch, they’re great guys.
"As a young player, to compete with them, to push each other, is brilliant. I watch how they finish in a certain way, ask them how got into a certain position or what they were thinking when they got there.
"Training with them just raises your level. I’m so grateful to have them."
Whilst Nketiah is grateful for the opportunity to learn from Aubameyang and Lacazette, he has no problem with taking one of their places in the starting lineup.
"You can’t, to be fair. That’s the aim, isn’t it?" It is a dog-eat-dog world," he responds when asked if the idea makes him feel guilty. "Yeah, definitely."
With that said, it would appear that Nketiah not only has his eyes on becoming Arsenal's main striker, but also on taking his shirt number of one of his aforementioned rivals in the future.
The England U21 currently wears no.30, but has hinted at no.9 - currently worn by Lacazette - is his favoured option, although he does have a soft spot for no.14 - Aubameyang's number - in honour of Gunners legend Thierry Henry.
"I was 16 and a first-year scholar," Nketiah adds. "I'd always tried to be like him in the playground, so to work with him was amazing. I had a great season with him.
"When I went to Leeds, the No 9 wasn’t available, but the 14 was and I loved that number."
For Nketiah to get either shirt number at Arsenal, he would need one of Aubameyang or Lacazette to leave.
Given the former only signed a new deal in the summer, it seems the no.14 won't be available for a while yet, but the wonderkid could have better luck in taking the no.9 at some point.
Lacazette's contract at the Emirates Stadium expires in the summer of 2022, meaning Arteta and technical director Edu will soon face a big decision regarding whether to cash in on the £37m-rated (via transfermarkt) striker at the end of the current season.
