Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Eddie Nketiah: Who is the Arsenal striker? What Unai Emery has said about starlet
EDDIE NKETIAH is highly-regarded by the coaching staff at Arsenal - but who is the 19-year-old and what has Unai Emery had to say about him?
Arsenal: Emery to ‘give chances’ to U23 players in Vorskla clash
Nketiah has made one senior appearance this season, but that was a short-lived cameo as a substitute against Bournemouth on the weekend.
The Lewishman-born teen has made a name for himself in the youth ranks in North London, though.
The forward was the Gunners’ top scorer in the Under-23s last season, notching 12 times in the Premier League 2 Division One, which Arsenal won.
Nketiah’s impressive form earned him 10 senior appearances off the bench under former manager Arsene Wenger, including a match-winning brace against Norwich in the EFL Cup.
We have one striker who is working well in the Under-23s and improving also in Eddie Nketiah
It is in that competition, as well as the Europa League, where Nketiah has been included in the matchday squad under Emery.
The new boss has been reluctant to let his promising youngster lead the line as of yet, however.
Following Danny Welbeck’s “serious” ankle injury in Arsenal’s last Europa League match against Sporting Lisbon, Emery is one striker short, however.
Instead of dipping into the club’s strained funds for the January transfer window, the Spanish tactician vowed to give Nketiah a chance to impress.
“[Our] first [step] is to look inside,” the Arsenal boss said.
“We have one striker who is working well in the Under-23s and improving also in Eddie Nketiah. He can have chances.”
Nketiah has maintained his good form in the Under-23s, notching six goals this season.
Emery was coy when asked about the potential of January recruits, saying: “It’s early to speak about the possibility of [signings in] January.”
Vorskla vs Arsenal confirmed line-ups
Vorskla: Shust; Perduta, Dallku, Chesnakov, Batista de Souza; Sapai, Sklyar, Sharpar; Rebenok, Kulach, Kolomoets
Arsenal: Cech; Lichtsteiner, Jenkinson, Holding, Maitland-Niles; Guendouzi, Elneny, Ramsey; Willock, Nketiah, Smith-Rowe