Eddie Nketiah told what he has to do to change Arsenal's January transfer plan

30 October 2023 , 10:57

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Eddie Nketiah told what he has to do to change Arsenal's January transfer plan

Eddie Nketiah has been challenged to repeat his clinical display against Sheffield United against the Premier League's elite and nail down a regular place in the Arsenal XI.

The 24-year-old caught the eye at the Emirates with a clinical hat-trick, opening the scoring with a sharp, close-range finish. He did similar after the break, before completing his treble with a sensational 25-yard strike with the hosts going on to win 5-0.

It was a statement performance from the England international, who capitalised on a rare opportunity to start in the absence of Gabriel Jesus. And his goals were the perfect response to BBC pundit Gareth Crooks, who only last week had argued that Mikel Arteta needed to sign a world-class forward if his side were to seriously challenge for the title.

But Crooks doubled down on his view in the aftermath of Nketiah's man-of-the-match display. And that's despite including the player in his Premier League team of week.

"Last week I raised the issue around the Gunners requiring a clinical striker if they are serious about stealing the title from Manchester City," he said. "Nketiah's hat-trick has not changed my view, although his third goal was a fabulous strike."

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And it was then that the ex-Tottenham player challenged Nketiah to repeat the feat against a title rival, adding: "If he were to score three goals against Liverpool, Manchester City or Spurs, I might be forced to reconsider my position."

Eddie Nketiah took his chance to impress with a hat-trick against Sheffield United (Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)

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However, it will be almost two months before the forward has the chance to further alter Crooks' thinking. Arsenal's next game with one of those three sides does not come until December 23 when they go to Anfield.

With Jesus ruled out for the foreseeable future though, Nketiah is now set for a pivotal role in the coming weeks. Arteta's men face West Ham in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, before a Premier League trip to Newcastle on Saturday.

Indeed, Crooks also argued the side were lucky with the nature of the opposition on Saturday, implying life would soon get tougher. "Arsenal were fortunate on Saturday to face a Sheffield United side ravaged by injury and lacking in know-how," he said.

Fraser Watson