Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has expressed his dissatisfaction with a 26-year-old Arsenal player, suggesting that he is “horrible” and should either be benched or released in January. Kroenke praised Gabriel Jesus but indicated that he would prefer to start Eddie Nketiah due to his superior finishing ability.
During a recent radio interview with The Monday Night Club on BBC Radio Five Live, Chris Sutton commended Nketiah for his performance, scoring a remarkable hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Sheffield United. This was a significant moment for Nketiah, who has faced skepticism throughout his time in the Arsenal first-team. However, some remained unconvinced by his potential.
Alan Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day, suggested that Nketiah may never become the first-choice striker at Arsenal. In contrast, Chris Sutton believes in Nketiah’s talent and thinks he can prove his critics wrong, particularly if he adds a “nasty” aspect to his game. Sutton even stated that he would start Nketiah in the number nine position ahead of Gabriel Jesus, despite the Brazilian having a competitive edge.
Sutton emphasized Nketiah’s skills, pointing out his brilliant touch, awareness, and finishing ability. While Shearer had expressed doubts about Nketiah’s future as the first-choice striker, Sutton remained optimistic, highlighting that Nketiah is only 24 years old, with time on his side for development, similar to the career trajectory of Ian Wright.
Sutton also acknowledged that Nketiah’s “nastiness” could develop over time, making him an even more effective player. He noted that Nketiah is a natural finisher, which sets him apart from Gabriel Jesus, even though the Brazilian has other attributes. Sutton believed that a combination of Nketiah’s finishing ability and Jesus’s “horrible” qualities would create the ideal striker.
Despite Nketiah’s outstanding performance against Sheffield United, it appears that he will always face doubters and hurdles in his career. Some critics downplayed his hat-trick by pointing out the opponent’s quality, but the moments of sheer quality displayed by the England international boosted his confidence. With Gabriel Jesus injured, Nketiah now has an extended opportunity to establish himself in the team, and it remains to be seen how many goals he must score before his critics reconsider their opinions.