Arsenal: 4 vital backup players for the rest of the season

4. Eddie Nketiah

There comes a point where supporters will have to stop talking about Lacazette’s lack of goalscoring threat. It is what it is. Significant emphasis is being put on it, yet no amount of concerned discourse will change it.

Equally, there is no level of discussion that is going to help him stop gasping for air after 70 minutes.

It was around this time in the Wolves match, like most other matches, where he could barely put one foot in front of the other. Arteta has found himself in these situation before and stuck with the captain, but even on this occasion he couldn’t allow Lacazette to stay on given how shattered he was.

The only other option in that moment is Eddie Nketiah, and based on Lacazette’s fitness levels he could be competing with Emile Smith Rowe for the most substitute appearances between now and the end of the season.

What Nketiah won’t contribute in link-up play and No. 10 style positioning he will have to make up for in penalty box predatory. When the chances fall to him – and they will – there can’t be any more Goodison Park flashbacks.

Whether we like it or not (don’t answer that) there will be a lot of involvement for Nketiah this season and his contributions will be playing a vital role. No doubt about that.