With the performances Eddie Nketiah is putting up for the reserves – he is certainly going to be ‘The Future’ at Arsenal Football Club.
Nketiah is still waiting to make his first appearance this season under Unai Emery but his goal scoring record at the junior levels should give him the edge to be called up for the first team soon.
Arsene Wenger was really impressed with the prolific goal scoring ability of the youngster.
The Englishman made his first senior appearance in Europea League against Bate Borisov past season followed by a substitute appearance in the League Cup match against Norwich City and scored two crucial goals in dying minutes dragging Arsenal into next round.
But with arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Eddie Nketiah now has to compete with trio of prolific strikers to get his chances at the senior level.
The Danny Hurdle
There was an ongoing competition between Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang for that Number 9 position last season with presence of Danny Welbeck in the mix up. So, it was really difficult for Eddie Nketiah to get a chance for the first team in the second half of last campaign which was integrated coming into this season.
Now, Danny Welbeck is into his last season at Arsenal and there is no confirmed news about the extension of his contract with the Gunners. The 28-year-old centre forward’s physicality and an eye for the goal has made him an impact substitute serving as back-up for Aubameyang and Lacazette. Danny Welbeck went with England to the World Cup serving as back-up for Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy.
Welbeck will be looking for more of direct contribution rather than serving bench. According some sources report that Arsenal would offload Danny Welbeck in the Winter rather than letting him go for nothing in the summer.
Here in, Eddie Nketiah will be promoted to the back-up role which can be really significant for his future with Arsenal. He will have to impress on regular basis to nail down a starting role at Arsenal.
If Arsenal offloads Danny in winter, Eddie Nketiah will probably get a starting role in the Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup as the boss can’t afford to play either of Alexandre Lacazette or Pierre Emerick Aubameyang atleast in other domestic competitions unless we are talking about facing any of the big guns.
Nketiah might not possess the physicality of Danny Welbeck but he is certainly a prolific goalscorer and has proved it in all junior levels so far.
This might be the high time for Eddie Nketiah to step up and cement his place in the first team of the Gunners.
