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Eddie Nketiah was once Arsenal’s bright young hope
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That was until a failed loan spell saw the striker’s star fade
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The revived forward now continues the legacy of the club’s famed number 14 jersey
Still young and yet to firmly establish himself as a Premier League star, Eddie Nketiah’s career to date has already taken many turns.
As a teen who scored regularly for Arsenal’s academy he was viewed as the club’s next-big-thing, a prolific finisher who Arsene Wenger believed could take on the mantle of becoming the Gunners’ primary centre-forward for seasons to come.
In his second cameo appearance for the first team, aged just 18, the boy from Lewisham upset the football betting odds by scoring after just 15 seconds before slotting home a late winner for good measure. The hype appeared to be justified.
Only then a prolonged loan spell at Leeds stalled all momentum, even if there were bright moments at Elland Road with Marcelo Bielsa describing him after one particularly impressive performance as a ‘complete player’.
📖 @EddieNketiah9 check:
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 19, 2022
✅ 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝
✅ 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙚𝙙
✅ 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/KUQHf1MTvt
Alas, a mere three goals in 17 outings diminished his reputation as a goal-scorer.
A return to the Emirates followed and to the surprise of some, the forward has been granted a second lease of life in an Arsenal jersey by Mikel Arteta, coming to the fore last season largely due to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure and Alexandre Lacazette’s struggles in front of goal.
All told, Nketiah only notched five times yet ironically it was his lack of goals that in a roundabout way most impressed his coach because reputedly, the Spaniard had marked Nketiah down solely as a poacher and he had no requirement for one of those in his grand project.
A willing runner blessed with clever movement and speed of thought however, he very much could work with.
Still, the promising striker’s restored status played out to the backdrop of a contract dispute, and it was generally believed that he was leave North London this summer.
At least now, after reminding one and all of his abilities, a move to a Premier League outfit beckoned, rather than dropping into the Championship.
But then came the latest twist, with the player staying after signing a long-term deal and just when that news was being processed it was revealed that Nketiah was to be given the number 14 shirt. It’s hard to say which development surprised more.
The number 14 jersey is a fabled one for Arsenal, it once being worn with rare distinction by Thierry Henry, their club legend and a leading figure in their great Invincibles team.
In more recent times it’s a number that adorned the back of Aubameyang as he scored for fun, prior to his stint with the Gunners turning sour. It was also the number requested by Nketiah at Leeds, in homage to his hero Henry.
So, the question now is, can he do justice to it and the first point to acknowledge is that the arrival of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City this summer should not hinder his progress at all.
The Brazilian is a direct replacement for Lacazatte and even when the French forward made 30 appearances last term, Nketiah still grabbed plenty of game-time. The two are not in direct competition.
The second point meanwhile is really several points compiled to make a complete package. At 23, the player is ready to ignite, to finally show what he’s made of and comprehensively so.
Having learned his craft under Bielsa he is multifaceted now, no longer a one-dimensional hit-man. And Arteta is a fan, so much of a fan in fact that it was his heavy persuasion that resulted in Nketiah staying put.
Regarding winning the title, the Premier League betting odds for Arsenal this year are distant. The odds for Eddie Nketiah firmly establishing himself as a Premier League star are short.
