‘Honestly’: Zinchenko says he’s been shocked by Arsenal teammate’s ability, he’s started 0 PL games this season
Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko has hailed Eddie Nketiah and claimed that the Englishman’s ‘ability and quality’ really surprised him.
The Ukrainian joined the Gunners from Premier League champions Manchester City in the summer. Injuries have really troubled him, but he has been brilliant for Arsenal whenever he has played.
Now, he has come out and raved about Nketiah, who hasn’t started a Premier League game yet this season.
Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko says he has been surprised by Eddie Nketiah’s ability
Arsenal were dealt a huge blow earlier this month after it was confirmed that Gabriel Jesus has undergone surgery.
The Brazilian suffered a meniscus and a partial collateral ligament injury in his right knee, and that is set to keep him on the sidelines for a period of about three months. (Goal Brazil)
That leaves Arsenal with just Nketiah up top. The Englishman is a good player and has shown he has what it takes to score goals. However, he isn’t quite on the same level as Jesus, and that has become a worry for Gunners supporters.
Zinchenko, however, is very confident that Nketiah will step up. He raved about the Arsenal number 14 and even revealed that he was surprised by his quality and ability when he first saw him play.
The Ukrainian told Sky Sports: “Since I came here, [Nketiah] has been amazing.
“Honestly, even watching him last season, I was surprised a lot because the ability and quality he has is incredible. He has an amazing potential and future for sure.
“The way he works so hard, I have no doubts about him. For sure, he’s going to help the team as much as he can and he understands the pressure now a little bit. He should realise how important he will be for the rest of the season.”
Our View:
Zinchenko has played with and against some of the best players in the Premier League over the years. He knows a quality player when he sees one, and the fact that he’s raving about Nketiah is a good sign for Arsenal fans.
The 23-year-old striker came through the ranks at Arsenal’s Hale End Academy. He has been brilliant for club and country at youth level, and he showed at the end of last season that he can deliver for the senior side as well.
The pressure is now on for Nktiah as Arsenal’s title hopes depend on him. He has to deliver in Jesus’ absence to help the Gunners stay where they are in the Premier League table at the moment.
Arsenal take on AC Milan later today in the Dubai Super Cup, and Nketiah is expected to lead the line again.
