Gareth Southgate calls on Arsenal star to step up for England

Gareth Southgate name-checked Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah when calling upon fringe stars to take their chance with England.

The Three Lions host Australia in a friendly on Friday and Nketiah can be backed at 5/4 to score anytime with bet365.

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Nketiah is expected to be handed a chance to impress vs Australia

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Eddie Nketiah anytime goalscorer

October 13, 2023

7:45 pm GMT+1

Southgate sends message to fringe stars

Nketiah, 24, excelled at under-21 level for England and his 16 goals for the Young Lions is the most in history.

However, he is yet to make his senior debut for his country. But after nailing down a regular starting berth for Arsenal, Southgate has called him up for the October fixtures.

And speaking ahead of the game, Southgate suggested he will hand a lot of fringe players a chance this week, including Nketiah, whom he name-checked along with Chelsea’s Levi Colwill:

“We want to see as many of the squad as we can this week,” Southgate said. There is a reality with England that you have to take your chances when they come.

“As a former player, you knew the moments when you felt, ‘OK, I have got to deliver tonight. I am not going to get six or 10 chances.’ It is not how it works.

“Our job is to try and alleviate pressure from the team but you have to deliver with England and we have to win matches, so we have got to be good at handling and coping with pressure. These boys are more than capable.

“There is no question in my mind. They are fighting against good players and they are younger and less experienced than some of the others.

“Colwill and Nketiah, for example, we would not have picked them if we did not think they could not be part of England’s future. They have got to take it step by step and try to go out and give the best version of themselves.”