Eddie Nketiah

Edward Keddar Nketiah (IPA: [nketʃa]; born 30 May 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Arsenal, and the England national under-21 team.

Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah playing for Arsenal in 2018
Personal information
Full name Edward Keddar Nketiah[1]
Date of birth (1999-05-30) 30 May 1999[2]
Place of birth Lewisham, London, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3]
Playing position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 30
Youth career
2008–2015 Chelsea
2015–2017 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017– Arsenal 21 (3)
2019–2020 → Leeds United (loan) 17 (3)
National team‡
2017 England U18 2 (4)
2017–2018 England U19 10 (9)
2018– England U20 9 (6)
2018– England U21 8 (8)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:43, 26 July 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10:20, 16 October 2019 (UTC)

Club career

Early career

Born in London and raised in Lewisham, Nketiah started his career with Chelsea after being scouted at the age of nine while playing for south-east London Sunday team Hillyfielders. He was released by Chelsea in 2015.[4]

Arsenal

He then joined the Arsenal Academy and played for the club at youth levels.[4] During the 2016–17 season, Nketiah scored 15 goals in 16 appearances for the under-18s while also scoring 12 goals in 26 appearances for the under-23 side.[5] After that season, Nketiah was called up by Arsène Wenger for the senior side's pre-season trip to Australia and China.[6]

On 28 September 2017, Nketiah was called up again to the senior side, this time for Arsenal's Europa League match against BATE Borisov. He came on as an 89th-minute substitute for Joe Willock as Arsenal won 4–2.[7] His next appearance came nearly a month later against Norwich City in the League Cup as an 85th-minute substitute. He scored after 15 seconds with his first touch to tie the match, adding another in extra time to win it for the Gunners.[8] Nketiah was set for a loan move to German Bundesliga side FC Augsburg in January 2019 transfer window, but due to an injury to Danny Welbeck, Nketiah stayed at Arsenal.[9]

He scored his first goal in the Premier League on the last day of the season at Burnley on 12 May 2019.[10]

On 29 May, Nketiah was an unused substitute in the UEFA Europa League final 4–1 defeat against Chelsea in the 2018–19 final, with him receiving a runners-up medal.[11]

He started the 2019–20 pre-season regularly involved in the Arsenal first team, scoring four goals, including scoring in pre-season friendlies against Bayern Munich and Fiorentina.[12][9]

Loan to Leeds United

On 8 August 2019, the summer deadline day for Championship clubs, Nketiah joined Leeds United on loan for the 2019–20 season.[13] He chose the squad number 14 in homage to one of his former Arsenal youth coaches, Thierry Henry.[14] Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa described Nketiah upon signing as a "young, important player in English football".[15]

He made his debut for the club on 13 August in the EFL Cup against Salford City, scoring his side's first goal during a 3–0 victory.[16] He then scored on his Championship debut the following week, netting the only goal of the game against Brentford.[17] He continued his goal-scoring form on 27 August 2019, with his third of the season, scoring in Leeds' EFL Cup match against Stoke City in a 2–2 draw in normal time, with Nketiah scoring also in the ensuing penalty shootout, with Leeds losing on 4–5 on penalties. [18]

After scoring his fourth goal of the season in Leeds 2–0 win against Barnsley on 15 September 2019, Bielsa described Nketiah as a "complete player".[19] After being behind Patrick Bamford in the pecking order, Marcelo Bielsa revealed Nketiah would have his chance to become the first choice striker against Queens Park Rangers, however the day before the game Nketiah picked up a lower abdomen injury, which kept him out of action for one month.[20]

He returned from injury after one month out injured on 7 December, as a substitute in Leeds' 2–0 victory against Huddersfield Town.[21]

His first league start for Leeds came on 29 December 2019, in a 4–5 victory in a dramatic win against Birmingham City.[22] Nketiah also started the consecutive game on New Year's Day 2020, in the Arsenal loanee's final game for Leeds at then-second-placed West Bromwich Albion in a 1–1 draw. The result kept Leeds on top of the table on goal difference.[23]

Return to Arsenal

After a match on 1 January 2020, Nketiah was recalled from his loan spell early by Arsenal.[24] He was on the starting line up in Arsenal's FA Cup Fourth Round victory against A.F.C. Bournemouth on 27 January 2020. Nketiah scored the second goal of the match which Arsenal won 2–1 at the Vitality Stadium, progressing to the fifth round.[25] Nketiah made his first Premier League start, at home to Newcastle United, hitting the crossbar,[26] before scoring in the next game against Everton, sliding a volley into the corner.[27] He then scored at Portsmouth in the FA Cup fifth round, sealing a 2–0 win.[28] He was a starting forward in Arsenal's first return to league play after the COVID-19 hiatus, in the team's 3–0 loss at Manchester City, being replaced in the 67th minute by Alexandre Lacazette.[29] On 7 July 2020, Nketiah received the first red card of his playing career, in a league game against Leicester City.[30]

On 18 July, Nketiah picked up his first major medal of his career as Leeds United were declared Champions of the English Championship. The 19 games Nketiah participated in at the start of the season enough to be eligible for a winners medal.[31]

Two weeks later, Nketiah lifted his first major trophy of his career with Arsenal, coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute in the 2–1 victory over London rivals Chelsea in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.[32]

International career

Nketiah is eligible for both England and Ghana national sides at international level.[33] Nketiah made his international debut for England at the U18 level, playing a match against Saudi Arabia U19 on 22 March 2017. He scored the second goal for England in the 58th minute as they won 2–0.[34] In his next match, against Qatar U19, Nketiah scored a hat-trick as England won 4–0.[35] In November 2017, Nketiah scored four goals for the England under-19 team in a qualifier for the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship against the Faroe Islands.[36] Nketiah was one of a number of players withdrawn from selection for the tournament by their club.[37]

On 18 May 2018, Nketiah received his first call up to the England U21 team by manager Aidy Boothroyd for the Toulon Tournament.[38] Nketiah scored twice in the semi-final against Scotland[39] and provided the assist for Kieran Dowell to score the winning goal against Mexico in the final.[40]

In September 2018, Nketiah scored for the England under-20 team in a defeat away to the Netherlands.[41]

In January 2019, Nketiah reportedly turned down a call up from Ghana manager James Kwesi Appiah to the senior Ghana national side, with Nketiah favouring to play for England.[42]

Style of play

Nketiah is known for his pace, movement and finishing ability, his style has been compared to former Arsenal striker Ian Wright.[43] In August 2019 he described Wright as his "mentor".[44]

His playing style was also compared to Jermain Defoe, due to his movement to play off the last defender's shoulder and his sharp shooting ability from all angles.[45][46] Nketiah can play as a striker or as a wide forward, with Nketiah describing his own playing style as 'I'm a striker, I'm brave, I like to put myself in the places where the chances are going to fall'.[14]

Career statistics
As of match played 1 August 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal 2017–18[47] Premier League3010125[lower-alpha 1]0102
2018–19[47] Premier League5110102[lower-alpha 1]091
2019–20[47] Premier League13242—00174
Total 213622270367
Leeds United (loan) 2019–20[47] Championship 173—22—195
Career total 3866244815513
  1. Appearances in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Arsenal

Leeds United

England U21

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References
  1. "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  2. "Profile". 11v11. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  3. "Eddie Nketiah: Overview". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  4. Jacob, Gary; Gheerbrant, James (26 October 2017). "Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah let go by Chelsea for being too small". The Times. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  5. "Arsenal FC news: All you need to know about Eddie Nketiah, the Gunners and England talent making headlines". TalkSport. 30 March 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  6. "Lucas Perez, Kieran Gibbs left off Arsenal's preseason tour squad". ESPN FC. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  7. "BATE Borisov 2–4 Arsenal". Soccerway.
  8. Emons, Michael. "Arsenal 2–1 Norwich City". bbc.co.uk/football. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  9. "'It's something I'll look at' – Eddie Nketiah responds to Unai Emery over Arsenal future". Express. 22 July 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  10. Davis, Matt (12 May 2019). "Burnley 1–3 Arsenal: Aubameyang double for the Gunners who finish fifth". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  11. "Chelsea beat Arsenal 4–1 to win Europa League final". BBC Sport. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  12. "Eddie Nketiah says he is 'ready' to claim Arsenal first-team place after impressive pre-season displays". The Telegraph. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  13. "Eddie Nketiah completes Leeds United move". www.leedsunited.com. 8 August 2019.
  14. "Lifting the lid on Leeds United's new Arsenal recruit Eddie Nketiah". YEP. 8 August 2019.
  15. "Marcelo Bielsa draws comparisons with Tammy Abraham as Eddie Nketiah joins Leeds United on season-long loan from Arsenal". YEP. 8 August 2019.
  16. "SALFORD CITY V LEEDS UNITED". Leeds United. 13 August 2019.
  17. "Leeds United 1–0 Brentford: Eddie Nketiah scores winner on home debut". BBC Sport. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  18. "Leeds Vs Stoke". Sky Sports. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  19. "Marcelo Bielsa hails 'complete player' Eddie Nketiah as Leeds beat Barnsley to top Championship table". Telegraph. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  20. "Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah out of Leeds United clash with Queens Park Rangers with lower abdomen injury". Yorkshire Evening Post. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  21. "Huddersfield Town 0–2 Leeds United: Ezgjan Alioski & Pablo Hernandez send Whites top". BBC Sport. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  22. "Birmingham City 4–5 Leeds United: Bielsa's men beat Blues". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  23. "West Bromwich Albion 1–1 Leeds United: Semi Ajayi scores at both ends as promotion rivals draw". BBC Sport. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  24. "Eddie Nketiah recalled by Arsenal from Leeds loan spell". Sky Sports. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  25. Aarons, Ed (27 January 2020). "Eddie Nketiah seals Arsenal's FA Cup progress at expense of Bournemouth Football". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  26. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51431286
  27. "Arsenal 3–2 Everton: Aubameyang nets twice as Arsenal beat Everton in thriller". BBC Sport. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  28. "Match report: Portsmouth 0–2 Arsenal". www.arsenal.com.
  29. Emma Sanders (17 June 2020). "Manchester City 3–0 Arsenal". BBC. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  30. "Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss angered by Eddie Nketiah's dismissal and Jamie Vardy let-off". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  31. Mewis, Joe; Kemble, Jamie (18 July 2020). "Full list of Leeds United players who will get Championship winners' medals". LeedsLive. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  32. "FA Cup final 2020: Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea - Aubameyang double secures victory". BBC Sport. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  33. "English-born Ghanaian starlet Edward Nketiah itching for Arsenal first team promotion". Ghana Soccernet. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  34. "England Under-18s seal win over Saudi Arabia in first of three games". The Football Association. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  35. "Report: Qatar 0–4 England Under-18s". The Football Association. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  36. "Young Lions start Euro defence with 6–0 win over Faroe Islands as Nketiah bags four". The Football Association. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  37. "European Championships: England begin defence of U19 title without star names". BBC Sport. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  38. "ENGLAND U21S HEAD TO MAURICE REVELLO TOURNAMENT IN TOULON WITH A 20-MAN SQUAD". The Football Association. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  39. "Toulon Tournament: England U21s beat Scotland 3–1 to reach final". BBC Sport. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  40. O'Keeffe, Greg (9 June 2018). "Toulon Tournament: England U21s secure third successive title with 2–1 win over Mexico". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  41. "Young Lions in action". The Football Association. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  42. "Ghana wonderkid Eddie Nketiah coming of age in America". Goal. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  43. "Exclusive interview: Eddie Nketiah on his Arsenal form, comparisons with Ian Wright and his 'natural' thirst for goals". The Telegraph. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  44. "Eddie Nketiah: Leeds United's on-loan Arsenal striker grateful to 'mentor' Ian Wright". 29 August 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  45. "10 young players Arsenal fans can get excited about this season". The Telegraph. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  46. "Rising Stars: Eddie Nketiah – Arsenal's fox in the box who idolised Thierry Henry". The Times. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  47. Eddie Nketiah at Soccerway
  48. McNulty, Phil (1 August 2020). "Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  49. "Nketiah double helps Arsenal win PL2 title". Premier League. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  50. Bevan, Chris (29 May 2019). "Chelsea 4–1 Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  51. "Leeds United are champions!". Leeds United F.C. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  52. "Final fightback takes England U21S to Toulon hat-trick with win over Mexico". The Football Association. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  • Profile at the Arsenal F.C. website
  • Profile at the Football Association website
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