Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has just joined up with the England squad for the first time in his career.
Eddie Nketiah is England’s all-time record goalscorer at under-21 level, having struck 16 times in 17 appearances for the Young Lions.
Now, his recent form for Arsenal has seen him called up to the senior England squad by Gareth Southgate for the first time. Nketiah may well make his England international debut in the next week, as the Three Lions are set to take on Ukraine and Scotland.
The 24-year-old has earned this chance with his recent performances for Mikel Arteta’s side. The Hale End academy graduate has made a fine start to the new Premier League season, and has already netted twice, with goals coming against Nottingham Forest and Fulham.
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Arteta is one amongst many Arsenal-related figures who have helped Nketiah get to this point in his career. Arsene Wenger handed the youngster his first team debut for the Gunners in 2017. Club legend Ian Wright has also been a very vocal advocate of Nketiah’s talents in the past.
MORE ARSENAL STORIES
Nketiah shares Henry lesson
Nketiah himself has now credited another iconic former Arsenal striker with helping to develop his game. Speaking after his England call up, he has spoken out about how Thierry Henry helped him as a youth team striker.
As quoted by The Mirror, Nketiah said, “Thierry [Henry] has been magnificent for me. I was able to be coached by him as a first-year scholar at 16, it was amazing, one of my best and most enjoyable seasons, being able to bounce ideas off him.”
“He gave me a lot of confidence and still to this day when I see him he is still supportive and still really helpful.”
“He came in and saw the quality I had when I was 16 or 17 and said that I just needed to believe in myself, whatever anyone else said. That is what is going to drive you, to motivate you. That’s probably one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received.”
Henry is the greatest striker in Arsenal’s history, and the club’s all-time record goalscorer. The Frenchman racked up 226 goals in all competitions, across an initial eight season spell. He then returned for a brief loan stint in 2012 and took his overall tally to 228.
The former Arsenal No. 14 is certainly a great person to have to learn from, and Nketiah has clearly benefited from his wisdom and proven his own quality to the extent that he now bears that famous number on the back of his shirt for Arsenal himself.