[ad_1]
Martin Keown sent a message to Eddie Nketiah after Unai Emery offered the young player his first start from Arsenal against FC Vorskla in the Europa League.
Nketiah had made 11 appearances in all competitions with the Gunners before the Thursday night clash in Kiev, scoring twice against Norwich in the League Cup last season.
But he had never made a start and now that Danny Welbeck faced a season on the sidelines, the legendary Gunners, Keown, told Nketiah that it was time to take his chance among the seniors.
"Now that Danny Welbeck is injured, Nketiah will have the opportunity to come in and claim a claim," Keown said.
"Whether you are old enough or young enough, you must show that you are good enough. And that's what he'll try to do.
"He has scored a lot of goals as a young player in youth teams, can he do it now and simulate the same thing in senior football?"
Speaking before the match in Kiev, Emery said he planned to give young people a chance to impress, Arsenal being already assured to move to the group stage.
And the Spaniard has been true to his word, with Emile Smith Rowe and Joe Willock leading with Nketiah and personalities like Charlie Gilmour, Zech Medley and Tyreece John-Jules on the bench.
"They come with us because we can give them chances and also because we would prefer that some players do not make this long trip," Emery said. "We prefer that they stay in London for the next game on Sunday.
"The Europa League is very important to us and it is very important for us to win tomorrow and to be the first in this group, young players will have chances."
Stay up to date with the latest news, features and exclusives from football.londres via the free football.london application for iPhone and Android.
Available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
Source link
