Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah has earned mixed reviews this season, as despite being his side’s top scorer in the Premier League, he has been criticised.
Fans and pundits have been critical of the 24-year-old despite a strong start to the season, and he has scored five times in this Premier League campaign.
Nketiah has found himself on the bench in the league since Gabriel Jesus returned from injury, but scored with an excellent finish as he returned to the starting lineup against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Arsenal have been linked with several strikers including Ivan Toney ahead of the January transfer window, and it has now been claimed that whilst Nketiah is perhaps underrated, Arsenal may need to upgrade on him to win the Premier League.
Eddie Nketiah described as ‘underrated’
Speaking on the ESPN FC podcast before Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Brighton, pundit Don Hutchinson praised Nketiah’s work rate, but claimed that the Gunners may still need more firepower to win the title.
“I don’t see Arsenal, not with any confidence. Not because they’re not playing well, but I just think they’re something short. I don’t think they’ve got the goals in the number nine,” he stated.
“I think Jesus works incredibly hard. But he’s not Haaland. He’s not going to get 20-odd goals. Nketiah, I like. He works hard. I think he’s underrated. But I think they’re missing that x-factor.”
Is Eddie Nketiah underrated?
Nketiah came on against Brighton with the score 1-0 to Arsenal. The Gunners were dominant, but were struggling to find the finish, and were nearly sucker-punched as Pascal Gross missed a big chance to equalise.
The Englishman then picked up on a pass from Martin Odegaard, drove into space and played an inch-perfect through-ball to Kai Havertz, who finished well to secure the victory for Arsenal.
This was an excellent contribution from Nketiah off the bench, who also scored against Fulham as a substitute earlier this season.
Nketiah is often scapegoated when Arsenal’s attack is not flowing, but he showed what he is capable of outside the box against Brighton with his assist, and this was a game where he could have thrived in front of goal given Arsenal’s dominance.
Arsenal have other priorities to attend to in the January transfer window beyond looking at a striker, and between Jesus and Nketiah, it may be argued that the pair have enough goals and creativity between them to lead the line for Mikel Arteta’s side.
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