Arsenal seeing the importance of Eddie Nketiah

Nobody could ever have predicted heading into the final five matches of the season that Eddie Nketiah would be nominated for the Arsenal player of the month for April. Nobody.

Earlier in the season there was Aubameyang, and then for a healthy period of time it was newly appointed captain Alexandre Lacazette leading the line. Nketiah simply wasn’t in the equation.

With a brace against Chelsea and another strong outing against Manchester United, Arsenal have found their new No. 9, all the while seeing his importance to this team and its current goals.

A three game spell that included victory over Aston Villa and defeats to Crystal Palace and Brighton were key fixtures in the case of Lacazette. His performances kept dipping, his energy levels sapping and his impact waning. Change was needed.

Arsenal seeing the importance of Eddie Nketiah who is bringing variance to the striker position – that which could help secure a top four place

Nketiah coming into the fold against Southampton was by default on account of Lacazette’s positive Covid case, but now he’s in the team there is no chance he loses his spot. What he’s doing isn’t revolutionary, nor has it elevated him into esteemed centre-forward company. Crucially, though, is that it’s what this team needs here and now.

Most notable about Lacazette’s gradual decline was how easy life became for central defenders. They didn’t fear his one-dimensional presence, could be aggressive in other areas of the pitch and left Arsenal trying to find patterns with ten men. If he jogged out wide, nobody followed him.

Initially fearing that Nketiah would only offer a threat going one way, he’s entered the fray and shown variance in the role. Coming short to link play and create overloads, holding the ball up and feeding possession wide or operating on the shoulder, it has forced central defenders to rethink.

Now there are bodies keeping a watchful eye on the Arsenal centre-forward. The addition of his pace means defences can’t play as high for fear of being beaten over the top, and wide players like Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have additional space for combination play.

Odegaard is someone who has profited, too, as he can play closer to the opposition goal – which is also helped by having a double pivot – where his exceptional vision has more avenues to be unlocked. He can feed passes through lines, and over defences. He’s less limited in his creation.

Overall there is just more speed. More movement. Variation to how Arsenal can build in the final third has made the team a greater threat.

Nketiah is not the answer long-term. He may not even be the answer for each of the next five Premier League games. But, for now, his importance to the team is undeniable and maintaining the form he’s shown over the past three games is one of numerous important factors that will help determine whether or not this side can clinch top four.