Arsenal may have given their fans great hope for the future by bringing in three top quality frontmen in Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan and Lacazette in the last six months, but circumstances have conspired to turn it into a nightmare for Gunners fans. The sales of Giroud and Walcott, and the loan of Akpom have left us with very few striker options and the unforeseen injury to Lacazette has suddenly highlighted our lack of cover in the striking department.
Arsene Wenger admits that the Frenchman’s injury came totally out of the blue. “He got a surprising swell of the knee after the game against Tottenham and he needed surgery very quick,” Wenger . “It’s a massive blow for us and we have to find a solution. Nobody could predict that.
“Football does unpredictable things and it’s always a good opportunity for someone to step in and do well.
“I think he recently must have felt something in his knee. Maybe that’s an explanation as to why he wasn’t scoring as many goals as he’s used to.”
So much for blaming a lack of confidence eh? Anyway now Arsene Wenger has just Danny Welbeck as or only recognised senior striker available for the Premier League, but the fact is that the ex-Man United man looks more like a winger nowadays and has never got anywhere near double figures for Arsenal in an entire season.
Wenger said this is “a good opportunity for someone to step in and do well” and I believe the Boss should use the inexperienced Eddie Nketiah. He singlehandedly got us past Norwich in the League Cup and has been scoring for fun for the U23’s. He got a hat-trick against Everton this week and scored twice against Man United a few weeks ago, which has seen him nominated for U23 player-of-the-moth by the Premier League. He has always scored at every level and oozes confidence.
The 18 year-old has often trained with the senior side and is very keen to get more chances to showcase his talent at the top-level. He said after the win over Man United reserves a few weeks ago. “It’s great to get to work with the first team so often, I feel better, sharper technically and I feel like I read the game better, so every time I go over there it helps me when I come back to the under-23s.
“Wherever I’m asked to play I will always work hard, train hard and play hard so that I’m impressing people. I’m just being patient and waiting for my chances, I’m confident I can take it when I get it.”
I feel confident also, and this should be his big chance against an Ostersund team made up of lower- and non-League English players, and I am sure he will make full use of this opportunity. Who would you prefer? Nketiah or Welbeck?
Darren N