Eddie Nketiah

Who is Eddie Nketiah?

Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah was born in London and raised in Lewisham, he has started his football career with Chelsea after being scouted at the age of nine he departed from the Blues in 2015.

He then joined the Arsenal youth Academy and played for the team at youth levels. In 2016–17 season, Nketiah managed to found back of the net 15 times in 16 games for the under-18s while also scoring 12 goals in 26 games for the U-23 side. After that campaign, Nketiah was called up by former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger for the senior team pre-season trip to China and Australia.

On 28 September 2017, Nketiah was called up again to the senior side, this time for the Gunners Europa League clash against BATE Borisov. He came on as an 89th-minute substitute for another academy graduate Joe Willock as Arsenal won 4–2. His next appearance for the Gunners cane nearly a month later in the League Cup clash against Norwich City. He scored after 15 seconds with his first touch to tie the match, adding another in extra time to win it for the Norht London giants. Nketiah was set for a loan move to German outfits FC Augsburg in January 2019 transfer window, however, following to an injury to Danny Welbeck, Nketiah remained at the Emirates Stadium.

He scored his first goal in the English top-tier on the last day of the season at Burnley on 12 May 2019. Nketiah was an unused substitute in the UEFA Europa League final 4–1 loss against Chelsea in 2018–19 final, with him receiving a runners-up medal.

Eddie Nketiah’s international career: 

Nketiah is eligible for both Ghana and England national teams  He made his international debut for England at the U18 level, playing a game against Saudi Arabia U19 on 22 March 2017. He found back of the net for England in the 58th minute as they won 2–0., against Qatar U19, Nketiah scored a hat-trick as England won 4–0. 

On 18 May 2018, the Gunners forward has received his first call up to the England U-21 side by head-coach Aidy Boothroyd for the Toulon Tournament. Nketiah scored a brace in the semi-final against Scotland.