‘Under a lot of pressure’: Ian Wright thinks loads of teams will want to sign 23-year-old from Arsenal now

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Ian Wright has suggested to the Kelly and Wrighty Show that loads of teams will want to sign Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah now.

Mikel Arteta was handed what seemed like a huge blow to Arsenal’s title chances during the World Cup as Gabriel Jesus picked up a knee injury.

There were concerns that the Gunners would struggle without the Brazilian after he had made such a huge impact since making the switch from Manchester City.

But Nketiah is currently proving the doubters wrong and has now bagged a goal each of his two starts following Jesus’ injury.

The 23-year-old has helped Arsenal to two impressive wins over West Ham United and Brighton. And Wright thinks Nketiah will have plenty of clubs interested in signing him after his recent displays.

Wright on Nketiah

Speaking on the Kelly and Wrighty Show, Wright discussed Nketiah’s recent form and feels he has stepped up in the absence of Jesus.

“Eddie Nketiah is under a lot of pressure, people are thinking, is he going to do it? He’s just signed a new deal. Everybody’s talking about how much he’s supposedly getting. It’s irrelevant what he’s getting because Mikel [Arteta] knows he can come in and do it,” he said.

“That’s why after the game the other day, Mikel gave him such a lovely, long hug because he’s happy for him. He’s happy that he’s come in and done that.

“There’s still maybe a chance that Arsenal try and sign somebody. But he knows that he’s needed and he’s done it.”

“This moment he’s [Nketiah] in now, where Arsenal’s main striker is out, he’s [Jesus] the guy they signed. He’s been there since he’s 14, he’s a goal scorer at all the levels,” Wright added.

“Now he’s come on the stage and he’s actually scoring. This is his time to build that profile, to be that guy. What people will see is that when he came in he was under pressure and he’s done it. Now people will say ‘I want to take him as my main guy’.

“He’s now proving that he can deal with that. He can deal with the fact that yeah, I can go in and be the main man. His link-up play has been good, he sniffs around the box as well and he’s scoring the goals.”

Nketiah enjoyed a run in the Arsenal side towards the end of last season and scored five times in the eight games he started.

The youngster has proven to be a clinical finisher at every level he’s played at and particularly impressed during his loan spell with Leeds back in the 2019-20 campaign.

There’s no doubt that other clubs will be keeping an eye on his situation in north London, particularly if he drops out the side when Jesus returns. But for now, Nketiah will be relishing the opportunity to prove that be he can step up and become Arsenal’s main striker.