Arsenal: 3 outcomes for Eddie Nketiah’s future analysed

2. Eddie Nketiah Stays & Becomes Arsenal’s Starting Striker

The improvements that Nketiah has demonstrated across this season – including in the Carabao Cup where he’s shown a more rounded profile despite the quality of opposition – can’t be denied. He looks like a different player.

It wasn’t long ago he came on as a substitute against Aston Villa and showed an appalling lack of commitment. Thankfully that was a one-off, and his other cameos up until starting the last four matches have shown an engaged and determined character.

All of which doesn’t mention the quality, of which there has been plenty on show.

His movements to receive the ball, his tailored first touch, comfort dropping deep to overload the midfield and boundless energy to press the ball and run the channels have steadily improved game upon game. In the win over United he even showed improvement in the space of ten minutes, first snatching at a chance when he fired straight at De Gea and then in an almost identical situation shortly after he took his time, set himself, and fired into the bottom corner before VAR overruled the goal.

Nketiah is no finished article, though. Far from it. It’s also very easy to over index what he’s doing on account of having had nothing of the sort in the No. 9 position for most of the season. One run into the channel feels like a gift from the gods. But he has looked more ‘complete’ than he ever has, which comes at the tender age of 22 years old.

Arteta absolutely adores him, is desperate for him to stay, and knows giving him the keys to centre-forward position will convince him to do so. Does he see him as the No. 9? That’s a different story.

Put it this way, if Arsenal secure Champions League football and inevitably draw Bayern Munich in the group stages, who would be content with Nketiah leading the line?

Continued on next page…