Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah took his chance on Tuesday night, smashing a hat-trick to help beat Sunderland 5-1 in the Carabao Cup.
Nketiah’s goals came from a total distance that can’t have been far beyond the penalty spot.
That’s what Nketiah offers though; he’s in the right place at the right time, offering a ‘fox in the box’ type striker.
Nketiah’s season has been strange though.
Whilst he has only played three times in the Premier League – three substitute appearances for 38 minutes – he has smashed five goals in three Carabao Cup games.
Nketiah’s goalscoring form hasn’t quite caught Mikel Arteta’s eye, but his contract situation may be a huge factor here.
The 22-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and has told Arsenal he is leaving according to the Daily Mail.
Arsenal may therefore not want to give Nketiah valuable minutes if he is to simply walk away in a few months.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s exile means Nketiah could be in line for games over Christmas though, putting himself in the shop window.
Former Premier League winger and Arsenal fan Yannick Bolasie has now taken to Twitter, hailing Nketiah.
Bolasie suggested that Nketiah’s knack for being in the right place at the right time simply ‘can’t be taught’.
Sadly for Arsenal, it looks like Nketiah will be taking that goalscoring ability to another club in 2022.
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