Gabriel Agbonlahor, a former striker who is now a pundit, asserted that if Eddie Nketiah continues to lead the line for the Gunners going ahead, Arsenal will not win the title this season.
The north London club has had a difficult time lately as they haven’t been able to win in the last three successive Premier League games, despite having had a fantastic start to this season. Because of this, after occupying the top spot in the table for a while, they have suddenly lost their perch and have fallen to the second position on goal differential.
Since Gabriel Jesus has been out with an injury, Nketiah has been starting, and up until last night’s 3-1 loss to title contender Manchester City, he had been doing well. The 23-year-old was given two magnificent chances to score for Arsenal, but he missed both of them.
According to a pundit, Nketiah will not help Arsenal win the title.
Despite Nketiah’s recent success, Agbonlahor claimed on talkSport that a top-tier striker is required to win league championships since Nketiah is not a world-class forward. Therefore, with the academy graduate leading the line, the Gunners will not win the league this season.
Added Agbonlahor:
“He performed admirably, although he is not a striker of the highest caliber. Eddie Nketiah isn’t a striker of the highest caliber. He is a striker who can stand in for Gabriel Jesus for five, six, seven, or eight games, correct? However, he won’t help Arsenal win the league.”
Nketiah may not currently be a world-class forward, but with the correct coaching and enough playing time, he has practically all the necessary qualities to develop into one in the future.
It’s important to keep in mind that top-class athletes don’t just suddenly appear; they develop over time via exposure to playing at the greatest level. That’s something that the 23-year-old is still lacking.
Nketiah, who is valued at about £16 million by Transfermarkt, had a difficult night, but despite this, I think Arteta should keep providing the young player with the support and encouragement he needs to succeed and realize his full potential.