Before Eddie Nketiah had made his first-team debut for the club, he was already seen as a future center-forward for Arsenal. Nketiah has been a member of the Arsenal roster since he was 18 years old when he was regarded as one of the top young attacking players in English football. Arsenal believed they had found the next Ian Wright.
Nketiah has, for the most part, fallen short of the expectations set for him at the beginning of his career. He hasn’t really cemented himself as a crucial player for Arsenal even at the age of 24. He did, though, experience something of a breakthrough at the Emirates Stadium over the past nine months.
Nketiah started each of Arsenal’s first two PremierPINC -9.1% League games this season. Not only that, but he also scored against Nottingham Forest and won the penalty that allowed the Gunners to defeat Crystal Palace with the winning goal. Nketiah has significantly aided Arsenal’s strong start to the season.
The 2022 World Cup injury to Gabriel Jesus gave Nketiah the chance to shine last season. He had to contribute to keeping Arsenal’s 2022–23 Premier League season off to a strong start and scored several goals as Mikel Arteta’s club battled Manchester City for the championship.
In the end, Arsenal came in second place as City displayed their superior expertise in the latter stages of the title fight. With almost £200 million spent on the signing of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber this summer, Arteta appears determined to build on that and move the Gunners forward.
It is telling that despite Jesus’ ongoing injury issues, Arsenal has not made any moves to sign a new center forward. After a standout season on loan with Reims in Ligue 1, Arteta is obviously happy to have Nketiah as a key member of the squad and Folarin Balogun on the Gunners’ roster. The offensive lineup for Arsenal is ready for the upcoming campaign.
Nketiah has the chance to demonstrate during this season that he is capable of realizing the potential he displayed as a teen. He seemed to be leaving Arsenal as recently as a year ago. According to reports, the Gunners were willing to transfer the striker because Nketiah was eager to play regularly somewhere.
However, things have changed, as Nketiah is now Arsenal’s first-choice number nine and has a lot to give. The 24-year-old’s quickness over short distances and willingness to come from behind provide the Arsenal assault a new dimension, even if he isn’t scoring goals. He ought to be kept around.