Why Eddie Nketiah is worthy of Arsenal’s number 14 shirt

Eddie Nketiah signed a new long-term deal with the Gunners and, in the process, was rewarded with perhaps the club’s most iconic shirt number.

When Arsenal fans think of the number 14, one player immediately springs to mind. Thierry Henry. The Frenchman was on another planet during his time in the Premier League as he took all before him.

Once retired, the shirt number that he made famous was left vacant until Theo Walcott was chosen as its new heir for the 2008/09 season. The speedy winger did it some justice as he produced some superb displays, most notably his hat-trick against Newcastle in December 2012. The Englishman scored three goals and set up another two in a 7-3 win for Arsene Wenger’s men.

It was then Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s turn to wear the famous shirt and to say he did it justice would be an understatement. While the ending to his Gunners career tarnished it somewhat, there can be no doubt that the Gabon international channelled his inner Henry numerous times for the Gunners.

Aubameyang scored 92 times in his 163 appearances for Arsenal and added another 21 assists as he single-handedly won Arsenal the FA Cup in 2020.  The 33-year-old left Arsenal in the January transfer window to Barcelona, leaving the number 14 vacant… until now.

Why Eddie Nketiah is worthy of the number 14 shirt

Eddie Nketiah is the next in line to take on one of the most iconic numbers in the club’s history. All over social media, fans have become angry and upset at the fact that he was given the number. Truth be told, he is probably in the best position to make more of it than his predecessors.

Being just 23 years old, Nketiah has plenty of time on his side. Last season, although virtually unused for most of the campaign, he showed his finishing talents as he got his chance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

His first goal, after a lofted ball in hope up to him from Nuno Tavares, Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen fluffed his lines with a poor attempt at a backpass that allowed Nketiah to be through on goal.

https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1538189039215464448?s=20&t=G69h7jJHdO78_X8u1CwMiw

He took a touch, worked his body in front of Malang Sarr, and cooly slotted home to give Arsenal the lead. Had Alexandre Lacazette been leading the line, that would not have resulted in a goal. His pace and work rate got him that goal.

His second strike was somewhat fortunate, as the ball bounced around and off several defenders, but he managed to poke home from close range.

His goals-against Leeds showed the other side of his game. His relentless pressing. He caused a mistake from Leeds keeper Illan Meslier as Nketiah hunted down his clearance and got a lucky deflection into the goal.

His second was a superbly taken shot first time after some great work from Gabriel Martinelli as Nketiah was jogging on the spot in the box. Then, to cap off the season, the young striker headed home from close range against Everton to take his tally to five goals in his last seven games.

He has all the attributes needed to become a force for the Gunners. Just how much game time he will see in 2022/23 remains to be seen as Arsenal are hopeful of signing Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.

However, Mikel Arteta and co would not have given the 23-year-old the number 14 shirt had they not thought he was worthy and not expected to see plenty of game time.

Nketiah broke through last season and nearly fired Arsenal into the top four. With the Europa League once again a part of the Gunners’ plans, there are more opportunities for the young Englishman to further put his name up in lights with the club.

Some have severely doubted his abilities from day one and only echoed those thoughts after seeing the number 14 come his way. Make no mistake, Eddie is ready to take his game to the next level and do the number 14 shirt proud.