Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah will be riding on cloud nine today after scoring a late winner in the 3-2 win over Manchester United on Sunday evening - and his impressive form won't be stopping there according to former Gunners defender Mikael Silvestre.
Nketiah, who joined Arsenal aged 16 after being released by Chelsea, has had to remain patient at the Emirates Stadium for first team opportunities. With just 50 appearances in the last three seasons prior to the current campaign - with most of those coming from the bench - Nketiah has previously been a squad player under Mikel Arteta.
But injury to Gabriel Jesus just before the World Cup has seen the England under-21 star called into action over recent weeks and he hasn't disappointed. Five starts against tough opponents have resulted in four goals, including his brace United to restore Arsenal's five-point lead at top of the Premier League.
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"What Eddie is doing is incredible," Arteta said afterwards. "I cannot say we saw that (coming). We were hoping that he could do that because of the way he is, his mentality, and how his qualities fit in the team. Losing Gabi (Jesus) was a big blow. It is a big blow losing Gabi today but Eddie is responding with the team in an exceptional way."
Jesus was spotted running onto the pitch to join his teammates in jovial hugs after the full-time whistle before backing off to allow Nketiah to take the plaudits as he left the pitch.
Jesus is expected to be out for at least another month but when the Brazil striker returns, Arteta will have a decision to make when it comes to Nketiah's game-time. Silvestre, however, believes the forward will only get better if he continues to hold a place in the starting XI.
"Eddie Nketiah's done really well for the team," Silvestre told bettingexpert.com "The whole aspect of the game – defensively he’s working hard, offensively he’s creating space, coming short, going long and behind the defenders in pockets of space, combining with Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard.
"I think for him it’s getting more and more game time. The more he plays, the better he will be.”
There were calls for Arsenal to sign a new striker after Jesus' injury in order to push on with their Premier League title challenge but Nketiah has shown that with a bit of nurturing, he is more than capable of leading the line.
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