Mikel Arteta has so far been honored for placing his trust in some of Arsenal’s most talented youngsters.
The likes of Bukayo Saka and Ainsley Maitland-Niles impressed with the Spaniard’s appointment, and there is a sense that the Gunners are building something for the future.
The club will also be pleased with the growth of forward Eddie Nketiah, particularly after his performance for the England Under-21s two weeks ago.
The 21-year-old scored a 10-minute hat-trick in an emphatic 6-0 over Kosovo, no doubt attracting the attention of his coach at home.
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It was a demonstration of clinical conclusion, intelligent movement and anticipation. And by now it shouldn’t really come as a surprise. Nketiah has scored 11 goals in nine U21 appearances, just two behind top scorers Alan Shearer and Francis Jeffers, who have both scored 13 at this level.
The Arsenal striker could easily beat them, and while these numbers do not guarantee future success (Jeffers is proof of that), they are certainly encouraging.
Nketiah will likely feel that his performances for England deserve a more regular playing time for Arsenal. At 21 he is no longer a newcomer. He is a familiar figure at the club, now in his fifth year after signing from Chelsea in 2015.
Arteta, therefore, might consider giving Nketiah a bigger role in next season’s first team. He spent much of the last campaign on loan at Leeds before returning and making a handful of appearances for the Gunners.
He is, of course, still unproven in the Premier League, still a rising talent with a lot to learn. And his club-level goal record isn’t quite as impressive: 13 goals in 56 competitive appearances for Arsenal and Leeds.
However, it’s hard not to be impressed with his quick hat-trick against Kosovo. The marking was questionable, although this was partly due to the young man’s position awareness.
His first goal was a prime example of this: Nketiah took a position on the back post, stepping away from the Kosovar defenders and heading home on a Tom Davies cross.
A few minutes later he had a second, also created by Davies. This time, however, it was not intentional, a low shot from the Everton man rolling at Nketiah’s feet who, a few meters from there, turned and inserted his landing in the lower corner with his left foot. It was a fresh and quickly taken goal, possibly the best of the three.
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To complete his hat-trick, Nketiah converted from the spot after a foul on Conor Gallagher. And this made for a perfect trio of goals: header, left, right.
This will inevitably raise questions about his role at Arsenal this season. Should he lead the line? Should Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Second Violin Play? And where does Alexandre Lacazette fit in?
Arteta could choose to cash in on the latter, given reports of his potential involvement in an exchange deal to sign Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey. If Lacazette is willing to leave, Arsenal may be wise to consider selling.
The Frenchman will turn 30 next year and last season he divided opinions, reaching form only at times. If Arsenal want to prioritize youngsters and plan for the future, it could be that Lacazette steps aside for the man they hope to be the next big thing: Eddie Nketiah.
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