Gary Neville praises Eddie Nketiah after golden chance in Arsenal draw

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Gary Neville told Sky Sports (broadcast on 4/1; 21:31) that Eddie Nketiah did not do a lot wrong for the golden chance he had in the latter stages of Arsenal’s draw with Newcastle, praising the striker’s touch to create the opportunity.

Mikel Arteta’s men ultimately endured a frustrating night at the Emirates. They were denied victory at home for the first time this season. Meanwhile, Newcastle became the first Premier League team to keep a clean sheet against the league leaders this term.

It was potentially the first time that Arsenal have missed Gabriel Jesus since he suffered his injury at the World Cup. However, it is fair to say that Nketiah was one of the side’s brighter players against the Magpies.

Neville praises Eddie Nketiah despite missed chance

He was looking to score in his fourth Arsenal game in a row, having done a superb job of stepping into the void. And he ended up with the home side’s best chance on Tuesday.

Nketiah found himself through on goal after Granit Xhaka got a flick on Gabriel’s pass towards the edge of the box. The striker took a superb first touch to create a yard of space. But somehow, Nick Pope was able to get a boot on his shot.

Of course, that moment would have been incredibly frustrating for Arsenal fans. But Neville felt that Nketiah did everything right and was simply unlucky.

“He got his shot away, he hit it well. That touch is really good. He doesn’t do a lot wrong there, Nketiah,” he told Sky Sports.

Nketiah has stepped up since getting his chance. And really, that should not be a surprise given that he also proved a lot of his critics wrong last season.

One year ago, it appeared that the 23-year-old was simply not at the level Arsenal needed.

He is still not the finished article – as that chance perhaps proved – but there is absolutely no doubt that he has now taken his game to another level.