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Wise Ed on young shoulders

Theirry Henry: Eddie Nketiah is so good he will score goals when he’s 60

SunSport columnist worked with 18-year-old Gunners sensation at the club and says that while not a fancy player he is lethal with the ball at his feet

I WORKED with Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah when I was with the Under-18s and I was delighted to see him grab two goals in the Carabao Cup win over Norwich in midweek. Delighted but not surprised.

He is a great kid and was a pleasure to work with. He was always on time, listened hard and was a good worker, willing to learn and improve.

 Eddie Nketiah emerged as a new Arsenal hero thanks to his midweek heroics
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Eddie Nketiah emerged as a new Arsenal hero thanks to his midweek heroicsCredit: Getty

He will always score goals, even when he’s 60! He is just a killer in the box, as he showed against Norwich.

He’s not a fancy player, all stepovers and drag backs, but is just lethal in front of goal. He doesn’t need many chances.

He gives and moves, is quick, he is a fighter — but in the right way — and has an amazing leap on him, as we saw for his second goal at the Emirates. And he has just the right amount of confidence.

If that guy plays, he scores. Simple.

 The Gunners youngster scored his first within seconds of coming on
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The Gunners youngster scored his first within seconds of coming onCredit: PA:Press Association
 Thierry Henry reckons Eddie Nketiah can keep winning fights until hes 60
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Thierry Henry reckons Eddie Nketiah can keep winning fights until hes 60Credit: Getty

Of course, the hardest thing will be to get a chance at a big club like Arsenal — but he’s made the best possible start.

IT’S great to see Italian football on the up again.


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I loved watching Roma and Napoli in the last round of Champions League games.

They gave Chelsea and Manchester City a real run for their money.

 Pep Guardiola was made to think by Napoli in the Champions League
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Pep Guardiola was made to think by Napoli in the Champions LeagueCredit: Rex Features
 Gabriel Jesus scored against Napoli
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Gabriel Jesus scored against NapoliCredit: Getty Images
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OK, they only took a point between them but they played some stunning stuff.

What I really liked in the City v Napoli game was that both teams stuck to their football philosophy of playing out from the back and building attacks by moving the ball in quick, short passes, with great movement and energy.

When City were 2-0 up they nearly got caught out at the back a couple of times. On one occasion, only a desperate John Stones block saved them.

But did they change their way of playing?

No. That’s not Pep Guardiola’s style. I remember the Clasico in 2011 just after I had left Barcelona.

Victor Valdes in the Barca goal gave the ball away trying to play out from the back and Real took the lead.

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It was the first minute. But did Pep scream at him? No. He encouraged him to keep playing that way — build from the back.
Barcelona won 3-1.

People ask whether City can win the Champions League playing the way they do, taking risks in playing the ball out from the back.

Well, I won it that way playing for Barcelona, so yes, it can be done.

Pep came in for a lot of stick last season for sticking to his philosophy.

That all seems to have gone quiet now!

That is not to say that this is the only way of playing.

Yes, you can sit and play on the counter or go direct. There’s no right or wrong. I’m not judging. It’s just this is the football I love to watch.

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