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5 young Arsenal players that will excel in 2019

By Kian Long

KIEV, UKRAINE - NOVEMBER 29: Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock of Arsenal line up before the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Vorskla Poltava and Arsenal at Oleksiy Butovsky Vorskla Stadium on November 29, 2018 in Poltava, Ukraine. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
KIEV, UKRAINE - NOVEMBER 29: Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock of Arsenal line up before the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Vorskla Poltava and Arsenal at Oleksiy Butovsky Vorskla Stadium on November 29, 2018 in Poltava, Ukraine. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /
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London, UK, 13 December, 2018Eddie Nketiah of Arsenalduring Europa League Group E between Arsenal and of Qarabag FK at Emirates stadium , London, England on 13 Dec 2018.(Photo by Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
London, UK, 13 December, 2018Eddie Nketiah of Arsenalduring Europa League Group E between Arsenal and of Qarabag FK at Emirates stadium , London, England on 13 Dec 2018.(Photo by Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

4. Eddie Nketiah (19 years old)

The Arsenal fans have already seen a glimpse of how impressive Nketiah can be. Coming off the bench against Norwich in 2017, he scored within his first touch. He also scored in extra time to secure the win for his side. However, he didn’t pick up the chances he would have liked after that under Arsene Wenger.

It’s a new era under Emery, though. Nketiah has been making plenty of appearances in the Europa League this season, and he even came off the bench against Spurs towards the end of December. He is yet to score for Arsenal this season, but 2019 will bring a few goals for Nketiah. He certainly has goals in him, being the academy’s main source over the last few seasons.

Nketiah is a versatile forward, which will serve him well under Emery. The Spaniard likes to switch his system around a lot, so having a player who can play a number of different roles will only come as a positive asset.

His strengths definitely revolve around his movement. He has the intelligence to know when to make the runs and the speed to outsmart his opponent in the process. He just needs to work on his composure in front of goal and he will be the ideal forward.

With Danny Welbeck’s long injury and his contract running out at the end of the season, there has never been a better time for Nketiah to prove his worth. He will find it hard to get in the first team ahead of Aubameyang and Lacazette, but he could be the ideal backup.

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