Many readers of JustArsenal consistently criticize Eddie Nketiah, the backup striker for Arsenal, asserting that he isn’t up to the club’s standards. It’s a recurring sentiment that “Arsenal will never win a title with Eddie Nketiah up front.” While everyone is entitled to their opinions, it’s important to note that Eddie holds a significant position within the Arsenal team, and Mikel Arteta strongly disagrees with his critics.
Following Eddie’s first hat-trick for Arsenal, Arteta was asked how Nketiah deals with the continuous criticism from those who doubt his top-level abilities. Arteta’s response was clear: “Well, to me he is top level. He’s started nine out of our ten Premier League games, so that tells you how much we trust him and the importance he has in the team. I’m really happy for him, an academy player to experience a Premier League hat-trick. He needs to enjoy the moment, he fully deserves it, and hopefully there are many more to come.”
When questioned about the potential level Nketiah could achieve, Arteta maintained that he couldn’t be certain but emphasized Eddie’s current status as an Arsenal player and his room for improvement. Arteta praised Nketiah’s incredible mentality, which, combined with his talent, promises further growth.
It’s often overlooked that despite having spent seven years at Arsenal, Nketiah is still just 24 years old, and his allegiance to the club runs deep. He possesses the potential to improve with every passing year and gain more experience.
The question arises: should the critics not trust Arteta’s judgment in determining who is good enough to represent Arsenal? Many, including the author, believe they should. Arteta’s unwavering support for Eddie Nketiah and the player’s accomplishments thus far warrant trust in his potential as an Arsenal striker.
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