Arsenal: Eddie Nketiah following Reiss Nelson’s example but…

Arsenal need to let their youth options stretch their legs, and many of them are realizing it. Eddie Nketiah is the latest to follow Reiss Nelson’s example, but there’s a problem.

Arsenal have a ton of young options, particularly attackers, who are primed for their opportunity on the first team. And they aren’t making any qualms about it. Xavier Amaechi is about to call it quits for lack of opportunities, and Reiss Nelson has spoke out about how determined he is to make it in the first team next season.

Others will be following their examples, and Eddie Nketiah already is. The young Nigerian striker has spoken up about how he is going to play in the first team, same as Reiss Nelson, and as fans, we love to hear that youth is chomping at the bit to get in there.

But Nketiah is in a much different situation than Nelson, and that’s where things might get kind of awkward moving forward.

Nketiah said these things in response to rumors of a loan deal that would see him proving himself somewhere else before returning to the Emirates. To the young striker, this is not the preferred option, as he is determined to make it with the Arsenal first team.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

But Nketiah does not have anywhere near the same foundation to stand on as Reiss Nelson. Nelson was in Nketiah’s position maybe two years ago, where he was right there, on the cusp. He made a few cameo appearances, took a year-long loan to Hoffenheim, matured and came back, more ready than ever.

Most importantly though, he plays a position of extreme need. The Gunners have zero wingers, and Nelson will undoubtedly find his stock boosted because of it.

Nketiah has looked promising in all of his appearances, particularly those near the end of the season, but he has not had a chance to stretch his legs outside of the U23 set up, and that’s a big problem in assessing his value to the first team.

Not just that, but he plays the one position on the club that we have absolutely no need for help at. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette holding down the starting role, assuming neither is sold, Nketiah’s chances of elbowing either one of them out of the way is a resolute zero.

A loan really is the best option unless someone gets sold, but then you run the risk of him turning disgruntled and wanting to leave the club regardless. It’s a hard situation to navigate, but all we can do is wait and see what happens.