The next big thing at Arsenal?
Arsenal wonderkid Eddie Nketiah announced himself for the senior side last night with two goals in a 2-1 win over Norwich City in the Carabao Cup.
Few Gooners will have heard of the 18-year-old before yesterday evening, but growing numbers are now getting very excited about the young forward’s immense potential.
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With a breakthrough performance reminiscent of Marcus Rashford netting twice on his debut for Manchester United back in 2016, Arsenal fans may now want to get a look at how Nketiah has been performing at youth level.
Arsenal fan and Twitter user Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) has uploaded a video that should get Gunners supporters very optimistic about the future, with Nketiah regularly showing his finishing touch and composure in front of goal.
.@EddieNketiah9 academy goal compiliation [via Arsenal YouTube channel] pic.twitter.com/8TEJHXKMmV
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) October 25, 2017
Even if the calibre of defences is not the same as at Premier League level, Arsene Wenger has already talked up Nketiah by saying he has the raw ingredients to be a success.
Almost taunting Nketiah’s previous club Chelsea, Wenger was quoted in the Metro as saying: ‘I don’t know why Chelsea decided to let him go. You see that more and more these days. Young people going from one club to another.
‘I felt I was happy for him and the team. We lacked ideas and clear-cut chances. I was impressed by Norwich in defence.
‘I know that he can score goals and that he has character. He is not afraid. He can give and go, and once a player has that in his game, they have a chance.
‘He has the flair to score, you have to be in the box and he has that. It’s not a quality you can teach at that age.
‘I liked as well the header he scored. He’s not tall, but he got very high. It shows his determination, and shows the guys who want it.’
More than many other top clubs, Arsenal do have a habit of trusting their academy and other young players, with Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi among other notable names to make the step up to the senior side in recent years.
Reiss Nelson has also been given his chances this season and looks to be adjusting well, while Wenger has also utilised the likes of Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the Carabao Cup and Europa League.