EDDIE NKETIAH: STEPPING UP

"The fact he's signed a new contract is an important part of our squad planning for next season and we're all delighted."

 

Those were the words of Technical Director Edu Gaspar when Eddie put pen to paper on a new deal back in June, extending his stay with the Gunners for another 5 years.

 

The 23 year old has scored 10 goals in his last 16 starts for Arsenal in all competitions, netting in each of his last three starts overall.

 

Yet for a while, Nketiah's career at Arsenal has been waiting to truly take off.

 

In and out of the team last season, it looked likely that the young striker would have to look for a new club in the summer, until he was selected ahead of an out of form Alexandre Lacazette away to Chelsea in April.

 

This proved to be a turning point for the Academy graduate, scoring twice in a 4-2 away victory, before going on to end the season with 5 goals in 7 games.

 

This red-hot form saw him rewarded with a new contract as well as the prestigious number 14 jersey.

 

Despite this, Nketiah has played second fiddle to big money signing Gabriel Jesus so far this term, but injury to the Brazilian provides him with the perfect opportunity to stake his claim.

 

There are definite similarities between both strikers styles of play. Both embody the Arteta 'press from the front' ideology, setting the tone for the rest of the team by hustling and harrying defenders and not shying away from the defensive work.

 

Jesus may be a better linker of play and more skilful, but Nketiah is a natural goalscorer. As put by Michael Owen after the number 14's Henry-esc spin and finish against West Ham on Boxing Day, "he just looks like a finisher. He's calm, he's collected."

 

Like all top strikers, he also scores the 'ugly' goals as seen against Brighton. First to react after Robert Sanchez spilt Gabriel Martinelli's shot, the lively forward smuggled the ball over the line to give the Gunners a crucial third.

 

All the best teams need strength in numbers if they are to go the distance, and since the restart Nketiah has slotted in seamlessly for Jesus. This is no mean feat given the laters electric start to life at the Emirates.

 

Nketiah plays like a man with a point to prove. There's a tenacity to his game, and a hunger to get in the box. He proved he can perform under significant pressure at the back end of last season, and with the Gunners sitting top of the Premier League, they're are bound to be many more pressure moments on the horizon.

 

With the virtuoso brilliance of Martin Odegaard behind him, the man from Lewisham certainly won't be short on chances, and right now, the smart money's on him putting them away.