At the 2008 Olympics, there were murmurs of shock when an all-conquering Jamaican team entrusted Asafa Powell to run its anchor leg in the men’s 4x100m relay. Just a few days earlier in the individual final, Usain Bolt had broken the world record, already showboating as he crossed the line while Powell laboured back in fifth. But if the decision had provoked any whispers of doubt, they were silenced emphatically when Powell crossed the line in just 8.68s - then the fastest anchor leg in history. He might have remained largely in Bolt’s shadow, who was behind barking encouragement right up until the finish line, but being entrusted with that responsibility has a way of bringing out the best in someone.
At Arsenal, it is Eddie Nketiah who is carrying that baton down the home straight. He has watched his friend Bukayo Saka become the brilliant young face of Mikel Arteta’s team, he’s seen Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli play less consistent but crucial roles in a season of steep but ultimately upwards learning curves. And yet despite making his senior debut long almost five years ago, Nketiah had never quite been given the space to run. He was the fringe member of that attacking band for whom fate wouldn’t quite align.
