Alexander Lacazette started Arsenal’s FA Cup final win over Chelsea last week, but it has also been a breakthrough season for Eddie Nketiah.
The 21-year-old struggled for starts at Leeds but clearly impressed Mikel Arteta upon his return to Arsenal.
We’ve got three reasons why next season should be even better for the promising hitman…
Arsenal need a freshen up
Youth has been at the heart of Arteta’s Arsenal revolution.
Their academy graduates are one of the most exciting elements of the club right now, and Nketiah is a major reason for that.
Lacazette can be a bit languid, especially away from home, but Nketiah’s work-rate epitomizes the tempo Arteta wants his Gunners side to play at.
Nketiah is a poacher
If Arteta is to bring the blueprint from Manchester City to Arsenal, the Gunners will create plenty of chances.
Nketiah is so adept at sniffing those chances out and finishing them.
Ian Wright is something of an unofficial mentor for Nketiah and you can see that in the way he is developing into a prolific goalscorer.
£46.5 million (BBC) man Lacazette is better at holding the ball up, but Nketiah can learn that side of the game and combine it with his cool finishing, given more game time next term.
Lacazette’s away record
As per Transfermarkt, just two of Lacazette’s ten Premier League goals last season came on the road.
There are legitimate question marks over the Frenchman’s ability to do the business in those tougher matches for Arsenal.
If Nketiah can prove himself capable of offering more in those fixtures, it should take him clear of his striking rival.
Nketiah still has plenty to learn but he has huge potential and should be handed more chances to show it next season under Arteta.
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