Eddie Nketiah has made it clear to Arsenal that he wants to play football, and he certainly made the most of his 90 minutes of Tuesday as he netted a stunning hat-trick against Sunderland.
Arsenal eased into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and Nketiah's brilliance was to thank, and his performance may lead Mikel Arteta to rethink about the 22-year-old's role in the side.
Nketiah is free to leave Arsenal at the end of the season when his contract expires, and the Gunners have already failed in their attempts to get the forward to sign a new deal.
However, Nketiah's decision is not due to finances, it's because he wants to play football and a lack of first-team opportunities at Arsenal has led him to turning his attention elsewhere.
If Arsenal's stance changes, maybe Nketiah's will too, but if not then the forward will have many other options at his disposal as Mirror Football assess what could be next for the 22-year-old.
Remain at Arsenal
With Nketiah already confirming that his contract rejection is not due to finances, Arsenal could potentially get the forward to revert his decision, but they would have to hand him a much bigger role within the first-team to do so.
Nketiah is part of a talented group at Arsenal that have graduated through the academy, and Arteta could continue his youth prioritisation and play the forward alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pushed out of the side.
The Englishman has already made his situation clear, and after the game on Tuesday, Nketiah said: "This competition has given me opportunities to play. I’m desperate to play football, every player wants to play. All I can do is work hard and it will work itself out."
If it is to work out at Arsenal though, they must act fast and Arteta has an impending decision to make as January remains less than a week away.
Sign him with assurances, sell him, let him leave. They're Arsenal's options in the immediate future with Nketiah, but the 22-year-old just wants to play football, and he's demonstrated that he has a lot to offer.
Head to Newcastle
If Nketiah was to leave Arsenal, one potential destination could be Newcastle with the Magpies desperate for firepower with the realisation of Premier League relegation well and truly upon them.
Eddie Howe is expected to be handed a war chest to frantically improve his squad in January, and after Newcastle found success with Joe Willock, they may turn their attention to another Arsenal youngster.
Callum Wilson is a blessing for Newcastle, and who knows where they would be without his six goals this season, but it's not enough for them and Nketiah could be a viable option for Howe.
Newcastle's priority now is just survival, and new co-owner Amanda Stavely is starting to realise that the lofty ambitions of 'Premier League challengers in five years' may be slightly far-fetched at this moment in time.
With Nketiah wanting to play at Premier League level, a potential move to Tyneside could hinge on his confidence in their league status, something that not many fans would bank on just yet.
Head to Crystal Palace
The proposition of Crystal Palace is not just a rumour, as the London club wanted to sign Nketiah this summer but failed to agree a fee with Arsenal, who were holding out for a reported £20m.
That may now be a mistake with the striker's value even less due to his contractual position, and Arsenal may receive nothing for the star should he walk next summer, with Palace a favourable destination.
Born and bred in London, a move to Palace would not be too disruptive for Nketiah's personal life, and for someone that came through Arsenal's academy, the chance to work under Gunners icon Patrick Viera is a massive factor.
Palace turned their attention to Odsonne Eduoard this summer instead of Nketiah, but they could return for the Englishman and bolster their ranks even more.
With Palace maybe not willing to gamble and wait on Nketiah next summer, they could table a similar offer to what they were prepared to pay this summer, and it's likely that Arsenal would have to bite the bullet and accept it.
Head to Everton
Another Premier League side desperate for firepower is Everton, and their injury woes continue as Richarlison became the latest star to be ruled out.
Andros Townsend was also placed on the injury list, and due to the fact that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is yet to return, Rafa Bentiez' trusty Salamon Rondon has been leading the line.
With Arsenal reportedly interested in Everton's Calvert-Lewin, a deal to send Nketiah the other way does become a possibility, but the Toffees need something and they need it quick.
Benitez' side have registered just one win since the start of October, as they actually defeated Arsenal 2-1, and although the club are eight points clear of the bottom three, they are in jeopardy of a genuine relegation battle.
Nketiah could be heavily relied on at Everton, and a fresh start in Merseyside could be an attractive proposition although the mood at Goodison Park is currently rather hostile.
Head elsewhere in Europe
From January, Nketiah is free to speak with foreign clubs about signing a pre-contract agreement ahead of next summer, and a move abroad may be what the Englishman desires.
Until recently, there weren't many Englishman playing outside of the United Kingdom but a recent surge has changed that, and Nketiah could draw inspiration from Tammy Abraham's successes upon joining Roma.
Fikayo Tomori has also found success at AC Milan after leaving Chelsea, and the Serie A appears to be a hub for British fringe stars to become first-team regulars, as Chris Smalling started the movement back in 2020.
Arsenal academy star Reiss Nelson has also been loaned out to Hoffenheim in Germany and now Feyenoord in the Netherlands, meaning that Nketiah could emulate a move on a permanent basis.
Nketiah can decipher any proposals in January should he continue to hold off on a new Arsenal deal, and should he not move to another Premier League side, the 22-year-old may fancy a move away from England all together.
