Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah has now scored 16 goals for England at Under 21 level. His brace against Albania on Tuesday night means he is three ahead of Alan Shearer on the all-time leading scorers list.
The 21-year-old has yet to translate that sort of scoring record to senior football but fans on Twitter have been discussing whether the striker deserves to be starting more often under Mikel Arteta:
He has to start, has to.
— 13thassasin (@garyfq725) November 18, 2020
My tap-in merchant ❤️
— W (@William_am2) November 18, 2020
Average striker when auba goes Eddie not good enough
— kieran (@kieran58753333) November 18, 2020
The future, the great future of football golazo.
— Rakim (@Rakim19292266) November 18, 2020
This is getting embarrassing now!
— Lotan Salapei (@sirlotan) November 18, 2020
Must be world class lads
— Macca (@1987mcg) November 18, 2020
Don’t take this the wrong way, eddie is a talented player but him and lacazette are not good enough in terms of their hold up play and keeping the ball in the final third. Too many times they lose the ball when they get nudged from behind and they misplace too many passes.
— ArsenalOpinion (@ArsenalOpinion4) November 18, 2020
Gunner's goal banger
— Olawale (@Olawale46297241) November 18, 2020
But so far only Eddie doesn't look to be a top player…#facts
— Darwaza Akoiy (@darwazaakoiy) November 18, 2020
Considering Alexandre Lacazette’s poor form over the last couple of months, there is a case to be made for Nketiah to be selected on a more regular basis. However, he hasn’t really impressed this season when given his opportunities in cup competitions.
He may need more time to develop his game in order to be a regular starter for the Gunners. Until then, Arteta could be better off selecting captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in more central areas. The 31-year-old has struggled to get goals in recent weeks and moving him from the left flank could help him get back in form.
