Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah says his release from Chelsea at 14 years old made him more determined, a fate also suffered by Declan Rice as the pair are now reunited at Arsenal and England.

“I think it did [make me more determined]. I was there from the ages of nine and 14 and it came as a shock to me because I was doing well at the time,” Nketiah said as quoted by Metro.

“Declan [Rice] was of that age group as well and had a similar experience. I think it gives you an awakening and just knowing that things can change like that – that you can lose everything you have worked for.

“It gives you that extra bit of motivation and resilience when times are hard. I’m able to dig a level deeper than maybe some people can or don’t want to go into. It’s all part of the experience.

“Some boys might not have experienced it but then they will have had lows in their careers. This was my journey and it has helped me by who I am today.”

On his similar tale to Rice, he added: “It is funny how life works sometimes. We have done the full 360 to be back together. We had different journeys to get here, but we are all on the same path for club and country.”