WHEN it comes to the ongoing debate as to whether or not Eddie Nketiah is top-drawer, Mikel Arteta kept it simple: feed him chances and he will score.
The striker has been the toast of the town this week after scoring his first Premier League hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United 5-0.
Nketiah will face a much sterner test this weekend, however, when the Gunners travel to St James’ Park for what is one of their toughest away days of the season. Arteta, though, doesn’t have any concerns about the England international leading the line against Newcastle, insisting that he fully “trusts” Nketiah and his goal-getting abilities.
“Well to me he is top-level,” said the Gunners boss. “He’s started nine out of our 10 Premier League games, so that tells you how much we trust him and the importance he has in the team.
“I’m really happy for him, an academy player to experience a Premier League hat-trick. He needs to enjoy the moment, he fully deserves it, and hopefully there are many more to come.”
Asked what level Nketiah can reach, Arteta added: “I don’t know. He’s already playing for Arsenal. He’s started games in the Premier League. He’s already really good [and] he can be better. The best thing he’s got, along with the talent, is his mentality. It’s incredible. When he has that mentality and that talent, he’s going to get much better.”
Nketiah is once again filling in up front in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, who has been sidelined with a muscle injury. Arteta insisted the two offer something “very different” to his line-up.
The Spaniard explained: “I think they are very different. Eddie brings different qualities to the team. He’s got an eye for goal. You look at the stats – he’s remarkable. He needs minutes, opportunities and service. If he gets that, he’s going to score goals, that’s for sure.”
Jesus is again expected to be unavailable on Saturday when Arsenal take on Newcastle having limped off towards the end of the Gunners’ 2-1 Champions League victory over Sevilla last week, and then missing the rout against Sheffield United.
Arteta hopes the striker will be back sooner rather than later, but says the club “must be cautious” with his recovery.
He said: “I’m honestly not going to give [a timeframe]. I did it once and got it totally wrong. We need to be cautious because we need to treat it in the right way.
“He’s already pushing everybody and wants to be back as quickly as possible, and we need him, so that’s great.”
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard is expected to face Newcastle after missing the weekend win with a niggling hip problem. Arteta added: “We rested him the other day, so it’s how long we rest him for and how we manage the minutes and the rhythm that he needs to be at his best.”
