Eddie Nketiah believes his hopes at an England call-up never disappeared despite being usurped by Arsenal team-mates Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe on the international stage.
The Gunners forward, who is England’s all-time record goalscorer at Under-21 level, was selected for the senior side for the first time last Thursday, for the games against Ukraine and Scotland.
Nketiah made his Arsenal debut in 2017 and last turned out for the Under-21s in 2021.
The 24-year-old has scored 34 goals in 136 games for Mikel Arteta’s men, scoring a brace against Norwich on his debut to secure victory in an EFL Cup match.
After bursting onto the scene, Nketiah options were limited to participation in the cup competitions, and after another setback in the form of a disappointing loan spell at Leeds in the Championship, the 24-year-old’s Arsenal career appeared to be at an impasse.
Whilst Nketiah struggled, Saka and Smith Rowe were emerging as the next top talents to come off Arsenal’s prestigious Hale End academy conveyer belt – the former now one of the Premier League’s top players.
Asked if he was worried he may have missed his chance to feature on the international stage, Nketiah replied:
“I have worked really hard. I had good moments last season when I came in and had a run and this season I have started three out of the four games.
“I have been happy with my performances and have scored a few goals to help the team. As a striker, you want that kind of consistency.”
So it came as no surprise the jubilation from the Nketiah household once the Arsenal attacker discovered he was about to get his moment on the international scene.
Asked to sum up the emotions he felt on the day his call-up was confirmed, the forward responded:
“It is amazing, a really proud moment for me and my family and friends.
“It has been quite the journey here, a lot of ups and down and I think this is the pinnacle for an England player to get called up by the senior team so I’m really happy to be here.”
