Eddie Nketiah has declined the offer of a new contract at Arsenal because he wants regular football, but after his performance against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup, will Mikel Arteta rethink his position on the young striker?
I’ve never been completely convinced by Nketiah myself, I look for a more assertive, aggressive, demonstrative and dynamic striker such as Henry or Wright. Nketiah isn’t that player. None of this is his problem, he gets goals at the top level, enjoys the big stage and scores crucial goals, but where does Nketiah fit in the Arsenal puzzle?
I haven’t seen it until now, but if we assume Martinelli is a regular on the left and Saka is a permanent fixture on the right, perhaps, Nketiah is the natural successor to Lacazette. That’s not a direct comparison because the Frenchman is a physical character whereas Nketiah simply isn’t, but he could be a slightly different kind of number nine and would certainly gobble up the chances provided by both flanks.
For all my reservations, Eddie Nketiah is a natural poacher and an instinctive goalscorer, his game is about timing and positioning. It’s about being in the right place at the right time and having an inner self-belief and confidence.
The 22-year-old displayed his skills against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup. But for some haphazard defending and good fortune from the visitors’ perspective, the English striker could have had another two.
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If the player wants to leave, then he must leave and we will be at least £20 million better off, but as Paul Merson accurately pointed out, there aren’t any 20-year-olds at the top clubs in the Premier League holding down a striker’s role.
It would be wise for Eddie Nketiah to reconsider the new contract offered by Arsenal, meanwhile, Arteta also needs to consider his stance on the player and give him more game-time to keep him at Arsenal. The player should look for the nearest pen.
