Arsenal were off to a bright start to their league campaign; they had already collected the Community Shield, beating Man City in the penalty shootout, and last weekend won the PL opener versus Forest 2-1. Many were doubtful the Gunners would be off to a bright start considering their star striker Gabriel Jesus was missing. Mikel Arteta had a tough choice about who he would count on to fill the void his No 9 left. In the Community Shield Final, Kai Havertz was given the nod to lead the attack, but he didn’t impress. In the PL opener, Nketiah was tried out in the striker role, and how impressive he was; he scored a fantastic goal, which gives him every leverage to lead Arsenal’s attack in Jesus’ absence. As per Gunner legend Paul Merson, Nketiah deserves greater recognition as he is always delivering when given a chance.“Eddie Nketiah never lets Arsenal down, which is a big thing,” said Merson on Sky Sports. “He’s one you bring in for three or four games and then take him out again. Other than calling out those who don’t see Nketiah’s value Merson cautioned Arsenal that they will have to be at their best this season as this could be the hardest title race they’ll ever face, claiming, “I expect Arsenal to challenge Man City for the league, but if they don’t perform, they won’t even be in the top four. “That’s how hard this league is. There are no gimmies.”
You can’t help but smile at Merson’s intellectual choice of words… “if they don’t perform, they won’t even be in the top four”…
Talk about stating the bleedin’ obvious!
Jack Anderson
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Merson stating the obvious, not for the first time, as has been previously pointed out on JA, and earning his keep on Sky😜
It’s not really stating the bleeding obvious…Man u didn’t perform last season but still managed top 4, I think what he’s saying is that it will be much tougher this season than last to make the top 4 cut
Sk every season we are told that “this season will be tougher than the last” yet as the season pans out,clear patterns start to emerge and by December,there’s almost always a two horse race,others having fallen off. The other remaining big teams ,and some surprise mid-table teams will be contending for remaining European spots. Another thing is that one or two of the big clubs usually end up underperforming for some reason.Last season it was Liverpool and Chelsea. We don’t who it will be this season yet but it’s likely to happen if you look at past trends.
I whole heartedly agree with the author of the post and opinions of Emerson. Nketia deserves more respect and playtime than he receives at Emirates stadium!!! I actually believe that we lost concentration and premiership because Jesus Gabriel recovered from injury. The young boys were ambitious and put in all effort to impress and we’re getting results. The boys had blended so well that play was exciting. When Jesus came back the boys resorted to the bench only to be used as substitutes. Jesus took cebtrestage yet he was not delivering as the boys were
The manager needs to put down his feet and decide without fear or favour otherwise, as Emerson says, “if we won’t deliver on the pitch, we may not even be in the top four” at the end of the season.
I rest my case …
Eng Muhigirwa Charles
Diehard fan of Arsenal’s
A tad too harsh on Merse I think Jack. I think few, if any, could take great issue with what he said – and while we all know he is very far from being the “Brain of Britain” – he is on TV to play the amiable joker role, a role which has had many previous occupants and which lightens the mood,esp when contrasted to such aggresive types as Roy Keane and some others.
Speaking for myself alone, Merse would be among the last people I would wish to invite for a dinner party, as I value REAL intellect. But there surely is a role for a TV jester?!
And , to be fair, Merse has overcome a triple personal adiction that might well have killed him, so I wish him well, even though I cannot overly respect his limited intellect.
Sorry, a reply to To Jax, not to Jack.
To Jax, not to Jack. Sorry JAX.
Those would make a very good hip hop chorus 😄
What?
Now I’m completely confused🤔
You must have heard of the UK grime genre? That’s what @HH must be talking about.
I dont mix in that world vamos and have no idea what either he or you are referring too.
Have either of you, I wonder, ever heard about Dame Janet Baker or Kathleen Ferrier, btw? I doubt it very much!
Kids on here should not assume we oldies know how most of you live. Most us of dont and many of us dont want to either. In my world pot was something we cooked in and not what we smoked.
Just to let you know humans have extremely diverse interests. Im probably boring you but that would be predictable, given the generation gap.
lol 😂
I seriously doubt that “Merse” would want to attend your dinner party in any case, so you can hold back the invite.
Over the top article, sad really.
The young striker Balogun should not be sold unless he’s sufficiently tested by Arsenal and fails to deliver. He combines pace, skill and accurate shooting from the videos I have seen in the French top league. The Arsenal academy developed those skills and the Emirates faithfuls ought to see them in north London.
Well said.💯
And you think the coaching crew didn’t see those highlights. They feel he isn’t ready and should go on loan again like Saliba did but he isn’t interested in going on loan.
My advice is cash in on him after his 20+ goals when is stock his high rather than gamble on him
Do we think that without a proven striker (with or without G.Jesus) Arsenal can compete on all fronts this season?. Arsenal should sign a good striker before the window slams.
Apart from Man City, which other Epl team has “a proven striker”?