Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott believes Eddie Nketiah should have left the club before this season, as they have held him back.
Nketiah was often relied upon as the back up striker in the squad during his time at the club. After scoring five goals at the end of the 2021/22 season, Arsenal signed Kai Havert in 2023 and the forward went back to being the backup.
This summer, the forward sealed a £30million move, leaving Arsenal after more than nine seasons at the club.
Mikel Arteta had only good words to say about Nketiah when he left: ‘Eddie is a top professional, loved by everyone at the club, who wanted and needed to play more minutes. We wish Eddie well as he moves onto his next challenge.’
Eddie Nketiah should have left Arsenal earlier – Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott also played for the Gunners at a young age, the former England international was at the club for twelve years. Walcott became the youngest Arsenal player to play in European competition for Arsenal back in 2006.
He believes Arsenal and Mikel Arteta should have allowed Nketiah to leave the club earlier:
“It was a move that probably should have happened earlier,”
“It is a move which can go well, and Palace is a good football club. In time, he will be a good signing for Palace.”
Nketiah started only 10 Premier League games last season, and was a substitute for 17 games. With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus ahead of him in the pecking order, leaving the club was a good move.
Palace star says he joined the club to be ‘happy again’
Eddie Nketiah has already scored for Crystal Palace despite having only played five games. The 25-year old admitted he left Arsenal for playing time.
“It was about me being happy,” says the 25-year-old. “I wasn’t unhappy – there were things I loved about the club, I’d been at Arsenal all my life – but at the end of the day, a football player wants to play football. Obviously only 11 can play and you have to respect the manager’s decision. But there comes a point when you have to think about your personal development.”
One goal in five games is a good start, but Nketiah believes he can do better with more playing time.
“… as a striker, you need rhythm,” Nketiah says. “You see players go a couple games without scoring and then have a purple patch, but in order to have that you need that consistency in minutes. It’s difficult, but it’s life. There were times where I did play and had a run [of games] and I enjoyed it. I think that’s the difficult part. You enjoy playing so much that when you don’t have the opportunities, it’s difficult to take.”
