Arsenal: Eddie Nketiah is in one hell of a pickle

Arsenal would love to get the youngsters some minutes, but Eddie Nketiah finds himself up against it, despite deserving of it.

There are three Arsenal youngsters that look to be breaching on regular first team appearances. Reiss Nelson is probably first and foremost, and he thinks so too, as he was seen tossing his gloves when he wasn’t given the chance he thought he deserved.

Joe Willock is another, and he can fit perfectly into a midfield that is not only desperate for options, but facing some potential shake-ups as well. It would be mightily useful to see if Willock has what it takes to fit into the first team and solve a problem before it develops.

Then there is Eddie Nketiah. The guy that I am most excited about, more than anyone else. Arsene Wenger has gushed over Nketiah and in his first big opportunity, the teenager saved the Gunners against Norwich City with two goals.

Nketiah never stops scoring, no matter the level that he plays at. I have no idea how he snuck away from Chelsea. But just seeing his energy and, as Wenger pointed out, his instincts, those traits are what make him truly special.

Which is why I’m a bit bummed that this pickle that he is stuck in looks unsolvable.

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied, so has to get all of the minutes needed to keep him happy in the Premier League.

Alexandre Lacazette is already unhappy at having been unseated, so he needs to get all the minutes he possibly can in all competitions, unless there is a foolish plan to sell him in the summer, which there better not be.

Danny Welbeck isn’t a striker, but he has been making a real go of it in Europe, so much so that he is certainly deserving of his fair share of minutes in the position at this point.

Nketiah doesn’t have an easy in. There are at least two senior players that need minutes at striker, and with very few minutes to choose from this season, it looks to be NKetiah who stands to lose the most.

Nelson can fit into a creative role or can even play wingback if need be. Willock can play any midfield role he wants. There are options there.

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Wenger won’t play two strikers, so if Nketiah even gets time, it will be in a wide role, which, honestly, I’m not sure does him any favors.

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