Eddie Nketiah says it’s a ‘great feeling’ getting to train alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Lacazette on a daily basis and that he’s picked up a few tips from the duo.
The 18-year-old made headlines when he bagged a brace off the bench to down Norwich in the Carabao Cup and he’s since made his Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League debuts.
While Nketiah has a long way to go to prove he can compete with his senior peers – you only have to look at the limited opportunities afforded to former Academy hopefuls Benik Afobe, Chuba Akpom, Jay Simpson, Sanchez Watt, Jay Bothroyd – his desire to learn from them continues to shine through.
“I’ve been watching their movement, how they finish in front of goal,” said Nketiah.
“Everyone has a different style, so I’m just trying to pick up a few things from them.
“They’re world class strikers, so to be able to train with them and learn from them is a great feeling. I just want to keep working hard by learning from the best.”
Alongside his first-team duties, the England youth international has also been banging in the goals for Arsenal’s under-23s ( he has 10 in 12 games at Premier League 2 level) helping Steve Gatting’s side to within a point of leaders Leicester with just three games of the season remaining.
Winning a title wouldn’t be a bad end to a whirlwind nine months for a youngster who has more targets on the horizon.
“I’ve got a few more targets in my head but I want to keep them a bit more personal,” he said.
“I’ve definitely achieved some of them in terms of scoring for the first-team and making my competitive debut.
“I’m just looking forward and setting myself new targets every time I achieve an old one. it’s all about continuing to exceed those targets because there’s always something you can aspire to, something to beat.”
go on my son
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhaZFqEgFaE
Eddie is the future. Will be the perfect age to take over from Auba in a few years.
Hurts to see Giroud in that photo.
Hurts that he’s not in our shirts anymore
He didn’t look well to me, yesterday!
Thought I was the only one that noticed that (my father also did).
Looked like he lost quite a bit of weight for some reason.
Some kind of chav sickness maybe. Poor bloke.
Probably a reaction to residual traces of John Terry.
Very mature mindset for such a young man. Always encouraging to see someone that young knowing the importance of having goals and targets and working hard to exceed those targets, no matter what profession you are in.
Excited to see how he can kick on for The Arsenal!
I can’t be arsed to think of lyrics, but there is definitely an Eddie Nketiah play to be had on the Tequilla Song (That’s because of tequila, it makes me happy)
yes. we need to give chances to Eddie and Nelson more often next season (and this season in the league) to show them that we are keen to have them develop and grow with us. Iwobi has hit a brick road, and perhaps we could afford more opportunities to Eddie and Nelson instead of Iwobi at the moment.
Please, especially when we’re 2 goals or more ahead in a game, and with 15 mins left, bring them on!
In the last couple of matches I have been hoping for Nketiah or Nelson to be subbed on. Yes for their development (and encouragement), but also to freshen up the attack. Welbz was tiring in one, and taking off Ozil for Kola was too defensive-minded. Yes we need game management, but introducing a different attack outlet makes defences wary.
“Everyone has a different style, so I’m just trying to pick up a few things from them.
Just avoid any tips that Welbeck dishes out.
If the lad achieves half of what Welbeck has already then he would have had a decent career to be honest. He’s won every domestic trophy available and score plenty of goals at international level
I know Nketiah is a great player. I just know.