Arsenal boss Unai Emery to give youngster Eddie Nketiah a chance before eyeing injured Danny Welbeck replacement in January
The 19-year-old whizz-kid made 10 appearances for the Gunners last term, notching up three goals
UNAI EMERY is willing to give Gunners starlet Eddie Nketiah a chance before moving to replace sidelined Danny Welbeck in January, according to reports.
Welbeck sustained a severe ankle injury in Arsenal's Europa League draw with Sporting Lisbon - and he is expected to be out for four months.
This has given his boss just two out-and-out forward options in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette before the hectic festive schedule.
However, Emery is not willing to jump straight into the market to replace the England international.
The Spaniard may look to England Under-21 striker Eddie Nketiah as the man to fill Welbeck's boots.
Nketiah made 10 appearances for the Gunners last term, scoring three goals.
Eddie Nketiah factfile
- Born in Lewisham, London
- Started his career at Chelsea but was released at Under-14 level in 2015
- Joined the Arsenal Academy - playing at Under-18 and Under 23-level
- In the 2016/17 season he scored 15 goals in 16 appearances for the Under-18's
- Made his debut with the English under-18 national team in 2017
- Scored a hat trick against Qatar in just his second match.
- Scored after 15 seconds in his second senior apperance against Norwich with his first touch to tie the match before adding a winner for the Gunners
Speaking to the , Emery said: "The first choice is to look inside, and we have one striker also who is working well with the under-23s and is improving also, Eddie Nketiah, and he could have chances."
“But I think it's early for speaking about the possibility of making signings in January.”
And Raul Sanllehi, an executive at Arsenal, recently told the that Arsenal will only dip into the market in case of an "emergency" - and Welbeck's injury is just that.
But they may have a diamond at the helm already in Eddie - with the forward scoring six times for the Gunners Under-23 team this term.
