Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer, has voiced concerns about Eddie Nketiah’s performance for Arsenal, suggesting the young player lacks the pace needed for a top club like Arsenal. Shearer emphasized that until Nketiah proves he can perform at an elite level and seize the opportunities presented to him, questions about his suitability for Arsenal will persist. Nketiah, at 24 years old, is not the first-choice striker for Mikel Arteta, as that position is currently held by Gabriel Jesus, who is returning to full fitness.
Despite being given chances to start and secure his place in the team, Nketiah has struggled to make a significant impact, failing to find the back of the net in his last three starts, aside from one goal this season. Shearer highlighted specific instances where Nketiah’s lack of speed and inability to capitalize on opportunities were evident during a match against Everton. The football legend stressed that to be considered elite, Nketiah must seize the opportunities presented to him and exhibit the qualities of a top-tier striker.
Shearer encouraged Nketiah to use the doubts and criticisms as motivation to elevate his performance and reach the next level in his career. He suggested that performing well in the Champions League could be a pathway for Nketiah to showcase his abilities and earn recognition. Ultimately, Shearer emphasized that Nketiah needs to demonstrate his worth and start producing consistent, notable results for Arsenal to solidify his place as a top-level striker for the club.
