Alan Smith feels Eddie Nketiah must now show ‘a little bit more’ if he is to lead the Arsenal attack after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Barcelona transfer, via his Sky Sports column.
The Gunners ended the January window without signing a striker, having failed in pursuit of now-Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbian could have given Mikel Arteta a long-term option with Alexandre Lacazette and Nketiah both out of contract at the end of the season.
Summer free agents Lacazette and Nketiah are now Arteta’s only natural options, although winger Gabriel Martinelli can also feature centrally. Aubameyang, who was in exile after a disciplinary issue resulted in losing the captaincy in December, agreed to end his contract.
Barcelona have swooped to sign Aubameyang in a free transfer after Arsenal confirmed his exit on Tuesday. He has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the La Liga giants in a deal featuring a €100m (£83m) release clause. They can also agree to part ways in 2023.
Smith unsure Nketiah is ready to replace Aubameyang at Arsenal
Aubameyang’s transfer to Barcelona has now left Arteta light on options to lead Arsenal’s attack. Lacazette has shouldered the responsibility since Aubameyang last featured against Everton on December 6. But he has only scored twice over their last seven league games.
Lacazette’s goals against Southampton and Norwich also only took the 30-year-old’s tally to three in 16 appearances for the season. He also offered all three of his assists in December.
So, Smith expects Arteta will give Nketiah chances to lead the Arsenal line. But the Gunners hero has doubts in the England U21 star’s ability to hold down the role. He also questions if Arteta believes Nketiah is ready for the responsibilities Aubameyang’s exit may now bring.
“You would imagine he will get more opportunities now than he did previously,” he wrote. “We will wait and see. It does not seem to me Arteta is at all convinced by him as a starter.
“He’s done well in the Carabao Cup and has scored goals, but that’s come mainly against clubs in the lower divisions. When he has had the chance from the start in the Premier League, he’s not really convinced that he is somebody that can lead the line.
“He’s a penalty area poacher and you need a little bit more than that as the striker in Arteta’s system – especially when you are playing through the middle on your own.
“So, he’s still got plenty to prove at Arsenal but as to whether he can do that in the next few months, who knows. He may be able to do it.”
Nketiah has so far played for 51-minutes over four of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures this season. He is also yet to score or start a match, with all five of his goals this term coming in Carabao Cup ties. His only strike against top-flight opposition came against Leeds United.
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