Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 key players to watch – End on a high

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Arsenal, Eddie Nketiah (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arsenal, Eddie Nketiah (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 21: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal battles for possession with Marvelous Nakamba of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on July 21, 2020 in Birmingham, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 21: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal battles for possession with Marvelous Nakamba of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on July 21, 2020 in Birmingham, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

1. Eddie Nketiah

Prior to lockdown, it seemed as though Eddie Nketiah was on the verge of winning the Arsenal striker’s job outright. Alexandre Lacazette was struggling for form and confidence, the former Leeds United loanee returned to the team and immediately impressed Mikel Arteta, and then he played the final three Premier League matches, scoring in a 4-0 victory over Newcastle United.

However, in recent weeks, Lacazette has got his mojo back. Nketiah was sent off against Leicester City, Lacazette scored goals against Liverpool, Spurs and Wolves, and performed superbly in the FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City, producing actions that Nketiah still struggles with — receiving the ball under pressure, feeding teammates, winning fouls, holding up play.

Nketiah returned to the fray in the midweek loss to Villa. Starting on the right of a front three, he never looked comfortable. However, with Lacazette likely to start in the FA Cup final, Nketiah could return to the centre-forward position on Sunday, with Nicolas Pepe starting on the right flank.

Next. Arsenal: 3 ways no European football changes transfer strategy. dark

If so, can the 21-year-old end what has been a very encouraging season on a high? It has been a very bright season for the striker and Arteta believes in him greatly. With a place in the starting XI in an FA Cup final on the line, he now needs to deliver.

Home/Arsenal News