Eddie Nketiah, an English-born Ghanaian striker, is eager to lead Arsenal’s frontline following Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury — and has got the opportunity to pick Arsene Wenger’s brain.
capped off their pre-season campaign by defeating Monaco in a thrilling friendly decided by a penalty shootout.
Arsenal’s Emirates Cup match against Monaco on Wednesday night, which they won on penalties following a 1-1 draw, was missing the Brazilian striker.
Jesus underwent a knee procedure after experiencing difficulty from a prior surgery in the same location during the World Cup in December, according to manager Mikel Arteta.
It caused him to miss a significant amount of last season, with Nketiah coming in to make nine consecutive Premier League starts, scoring four goals in those games.
The 24-year-old, who led the North London club for the first time on Wednesday, is now poised to have a similar impact. The opportunity to catch up with the man who handed him his Arsenal debut in 2017 during the Monaco match — ex-boss Wenger, who was in attendance — was an added bonus.
‘I made my debut under him,’ said Nketiah. ‘So it was so nice to really speak to him and he is obviously really proud of how far I’ve come from since then.
“It’s amazing and it’s always good to pick his brain, he is a genius and we’re really happy that he’s been able to come, been able to catch up with him.’
The England Under-21 all-time leading scorer believes he can replicate the impact he had when he replaced Jesus last season.
He said: ‘’Yeah (I did answer doubts last season) but I don’t think I’m here to fill in for anyone. I’m here to play and contribute to the team obviously, I believe in my abilities and I know I can contribute.
‘I just really enjoyed it (last season) and was able to improve myself. I played some really big games and I was able to help and contribute.
‘I pride myself on always being ready and whatever role the manager needs me to fill, I will always make sure I do my best so I can help the team — that’s what it’s all about.
‘’The manager has got a tough decision and whenever he calls me, he knows I can deliver and I can help the team.’’
On losing Jesus, he added: ‘We want him back as soon as possible. We need him, he is a big player for us.
“So whatever the manager does, we are all here to contribute and push to be out there to help the team.”
