Ian Wright says he ‘wasn’t expecting’ Eddie Nketiah to hit the numbers he has been producing since leading the line for Arsenal.
When Gabriel Jesus was injured, Arsenal fans and Mikel Arteta knew that post-World Cup, it was going to be Nketiah taking that number nine role for a number of months.
Given that the 23-year-old had yet to score a Premier League goal this season and had ten goals to his name during his career in England’s top-flight so far, then there was a lot of pressure on the £100k-a-week star’s (Spotrac) shoulders and a lot of proving to do.
Well, the Hale-End academy product has shut off the noise and produced the goods in a quite stunning fashion for his team, including his best moment in Arsenal colours on Sunday.
With Manchester City closing the gap at the top of the table to two points, the north London club came from behind to beat Manchester United 3-2, thanks to a brace and a 90th-minute winner from Nketiah.
It was a joyous moment for someone like Wright, who described the difference between Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli because, prior to the Englishman’s opening goal, the Brazil star had the chance to score a similar goal, but he didn’t have the movement to provide that chance for himself, as he told Premier League Productions (22/01/23 at 6:30 pm).
“The reaction from Martinelli is different (prior to Arsenal’s opener),” said Wright. “It’s instinct. I think he should be getting closer because he should be getting closer to Wan-Bissaka. There is a lot of indecision there, but it’s not enough pressure. You watch him. He doesn’t move when the cross is going in. He is still standing, that’s probably the difference between him and Eddie Nketiah.
“With Nketiah. This is a brilliant ball in. Once they do work it. They work it really, really well – I think it’s Xhaka who gets in there, you look at Nketiah and Wan-Bissaka. Wham! That’s the difference.
“I wasn’t expecting those numbers (from Nketiah), but I know that he is somebody who gets into the box and then it’s up to him – this guy is a poacher. That’s his room. That’s where he works. Inside the box.
“Whether or not he would take the chances, especially in games like this, it was something he was yet to prove and now that he is proven that he can.”
IF GABRIEL JESUS WAS FIT TOMORROW…
Well, it’s pretty simple, he’s sitting on the bench. This is the ideal situation for Arteta, Arsenal and their Premier League title charge.
If Nketiah keeps up this form, then by the time Jesus returns, it bulks up the club’s depth, which has been much talked about with Manchester City breathing down their necks.
Added to that, Leandro Trossard made quite the impression during his mini cameo against Manchester United, so it’s looking positive, at this moment in time.
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