4 English youngsters who could carry Arsenal into the future

Eddie Nketiah

West Ham United v Arsenal: Premier League 2

“Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!” was what the Emirates Stadium chanted when Nketiah, sent on in the final five minutes to rescue a Carabao Cup tie against Norwich, scored twice. It took him 15 seconds to level the score, before popping up again to head in a corner in extra-time. Few teenagers had enjoyed such an explosive start to their senior career.

Nketiah had been prolific in Arsenal’s youth teams, though technically isn’t a product of their academy. The striker was originally a part of Chelsea’s youth set-up but wasn’t offered professional terms as he was deemed too small. He was offered a trial at Arsenal, impressed the watching coaches and was duly offered a contract. Many now hope he can be the home-grown number nine that has proven so elusive.

Nketiah combines raw pace with a poacher’s instinct. He has an aggressive approach to being a striker, preferring to turn and run at defenders as soon as he’s able and always playing on the shoulder. What he lacks in height he makes up for in guts.

Regular first-team action has been hard to come by at Arsenal, thanks in no small part to the quality of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. However, he is a frequent part of the club’s cup squads and in the thinking of the coaches.