Exclusive: Ben Jacobs Takeover - The truth about 2024 Erling Haaland clause, what's behind Eddie Nketiah's remarkable rise, and the deals to watch before the end of January

The latest exclusive column from Ben Jacobs, featuring the major stories to watch out for in the final week of the transfer window.

Eddie Nketiah had other offers but Arsenal are reaping the rewards of Mikel Arteta’s pre-season vow to the player

Eddie Nketiah is now Arsenal’s top scorer in all competitions, and his goal-scoring heroics in the win over Manchester United just further underlie his importance. Mikel Arteta has always known what he’s capable of, and let’s not forget, even before Gabriel Jesus arrived and subsequently got injured, Nketiah was in fine form last season, scoring five goals in seven Premier League appearances towards the end of the campaign. Arteta was keen to persuade Nketiah to stay, and it’s no coincidence that after signing that new deal he was handed the famous no.14 shirt at Arsenal, worn by the likes of Thierry Henry, Theo Walcott and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. You just don’t get that shirt unless you’re seen as integral.