Michael Owen thinks Arsenal had ‘one of the best finishers in the Premier League’ but Mikel Arteta didn’t use him properly

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has improved almost every player since he became a manager.

The Spaniard is among the best in the business, and he has taken the Gunners to another level over the last five years.

The likes of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba have become world-beaters under him, while Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are developing brilliantly as well.

But, not everyone fulfilled their potential under Arteta – some of them have been struggling since leaving Arsenal too.

Michael Owen makes interesting point about ex-Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah

Eddie Nketiah joined Arsenal when he was 14 years old.

The Englishman was one of the stars of the academy when he was coming through the ranks and was one of the most prolific strikers in that period.

Everyone expected Nketiah to have a big future at senior level at Arsenal, but things didn’t quite work out for him at the Emirates.

Since his move to Crystal Palace last summer, Nketiah has struggled for game time there as well, which is a real shame.

Michael Owen, who knows a thing or two about being a top-class striker, has claimed that Nketiah is an ‘unbelievable finisher’, but he is not being used the right way.

The former Ballon d’Or winner feels that if Mikel Arteta or Oliver Glasner used him next to a target man, he would become unstoppable.

Owen said on Premier League Productions before Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: “He’s almost like an old-fashioned striker – needs a partner.

“I often look at football now and think ‘where would I play in this generation? Could I play wide? I’m not big enough, strong enough to play up front.’

“I almost think he is the same. If he plays with a big lad, I think he’s one of the best finishers in the Premier League. I think he is an unbelievable finisher.

“But, he’s just not got the presence really to be that centre-forward on his own. If he was playing 15 years ago, I think he would be a top player.”

Eddie Nketiah’s stats at Arsenal

Nketiah has many qualities that you would want in a striker.

The Englishman has a tremendous work ethic, his movement is mostly good, and as Owen said above, his finishing is fantastic as well.

But, he just couldn’t do enough to become a regular at Arsenal.

47 direct goal contributions in 70 starts is not a bad return at all, but Nketiah just didn’t look convincing enough to be Arsenal’s main number nine.

Perhaps Owen is right – Arteta never really used the attacker in a two-striker system. Palace boss Glasner isn’t prepared to do that either, even though he has Jean-Philippe Mateta available.

That could be why Nketiah hasn’t fulfilled his potential yet – nobody’s using him properly.