“Not world-class” – pundit claims Arsenal won’t win title if £16m star continues to start
According to former striker turned commentator Gabriel Agbonlahor, if Eddie Nketiah continues to lead the line for the Gunners moving forward, Arsenal will not win the championship this season.
The north London team has had a difficult time lately as they haven’t been able to win in the past three straight Premier League games, despite having a fantastic start to this season. As a result, despite occupying the top position in the standings for many months, they have now lost their perch and have fallen to second place on goal differential.
While Gabriel Jesus has been out with an injury, Nketiah has been starting, and up until last night’s 3-1 loss to championship contender Manchester City, he had been doing well. The 23-year-old was given two magnificent chances to score for Arsenal, but he could not take advantage of either opportunity.
Nketiah won’t help Arsenal win the championship, a pundit believes
Agbonlahor said on talkSport that while Nketiah has performed well lately, he is not a top-tier forward and that a top-tier striker is required to win league championships. With the academy graduate leading the line, the Gunners will thus not win the league this season.
Added Agbonlahor:
He performed well, although he is not a striker of the highest caliber. Eddie Nketiah isn’t a striker of the highest caliber. He is a striker who can stand in for Gabriel Jesus for five, six, seven, or eight games, correct? But, he won’t help Arsenal win the league.
Nketiah may not be a world-class forward just yet, but with the right coaching and enough playing time, he has practically all the makings of one in the future.
It’s important to keep in mind that elite players develop over the course of several years of playing at the highest level. And the 23-year-old is still lacking it.
But even though Nketiah, who is estimated to be worth £16 million by Transfermarkt, had a difficult night, I think Arteta should keep providing the young player all the backing and assistance he needs to succeed and realize his full potential.