Earlier this week, Eddie Nketiah insisted he could replace Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal.
With the latter out for approximately three months, Nketiah revealed that he was ready to fill the void left by Jesus.
He said to Football London, as quoted by HITC Sport: “I have been working hard, I’ve been working hard all season and I’m sure when I get the opportunity I’ll be able to come in and help the team.”
Problem is, Nketiah got his opportunity on Saturday and unfortunately for him, Mikel Arteta and Edu are going to have to sign a striker in January.
The Hale End academy graduate missed an open goal from seven yards out in last night’s defeat by Juventus.
Yes, it was only a friendly, but whether it was a Champions League final, a friendly or a kickabout with mates, missing the chance that Nketiah spurned at the Emirates on Saturday wouldn’t have filled anybody with much confidence that he can fire Arteta’s side to the Premier League title.
Because remember, this is a team who are top of the table going into the second half of the campaign and that gaffe has effectively forced the Spanish manager to sign an upgrade.
And longer term, this miss might’ve cost Nketiah – who earns £100,000 per week [The Sun] – his Arsenal career.
This sounds a tad dramatic but if Arteta and Edu sign another number nine to replace Jesus next month, which is very probable, then Nketiah is going to be the North Londoners’ third-choice striker when the Brazil international is available again.
And with Folarin Balogun likely to be get opportunities next season, what does the future hold for Nketiah?
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