Nketiah must use tonight to show Emery he can be Welbeck’s replacement

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With Danny Welbeck set to miss the rest of the season with a broken ankle, Arsenal may look to dip into the January transfer market for a replacement.

Welbeck was only ever a back-up choice for Arsenal but in his absence, Unai Emery has limited options from the bench.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are his first-choice strikers but Welbeck was able to deputise up front or on the wing.

Tonight Arsenal face Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League. With 10 points, they sit at the top of their group and should expect victory.

But this is also a chance for Emery to test out Eddie Nketiah.

Could the 19-year-old show his boss that he can be Welbeck’s replacement? Could he save Arsenal some money in the January window by indicating that he is ready to step up?

The England under-21 international is an exciting young talent and while he is far from the finished product, he is already showing signs of becoming a star at The Emirates Stadium.

If he played a back-up role to Lacazette and Aubameyang for the rest of the season, getting occasional substitute cameos and cup appearances under his belt, then Nketiah could take his game to the next level.

Nketiah could also be the long-term replacement for Welbeck, who is out of contract this summer.