Who is Arsenal Striker No 14?
The number 14 shirt at Arsenal Football Club has been worn by some of the most iconic players in the club’s history. From Thierry Henry to Robin van Persie, the likes of Ian Wright and Davor Suker have all donned the famous red and white jersey. But who is the current incumbent of the number 14 shirt? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of the shirt and introduce you to the player who’s carrying on the tradition.
Who is Arsenal Striker No 14?
As of the 2022-23 season, the number 14 shirt is worn by Edward Keddar Nketiah, a 23-year-old English professional footballer. Nketiah, commonly known as Eddie Nketiah, is a product of Arsenal’s youth academy and has risen through the ranks to become a regular starter for the Gunners. The striker has already made a significant impact at the club, scoring crucial goals in big games and establishing himself as a fan favorite.
A Brief History of the Number 14 Shirt
The number 14 shirt has been a staple of Arsenal’s attack for decades. From the early days of Cliff Bastin and John Radford to the modern era of Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie, the shirt has been worn by some of the club’s most legendary players. Here’s a brief rundown of some of the notable players who’ve worn the number 14 shirt:
• Thierry Henry (1999-2007, 2012): Henry is arguably the most iconic player to wear the number 14 shirt. The French forward won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup during his first stint at the club.
• Robin van Persie (2004-2012): Van Persie took over the number 14 shirt after Henry’s departure and went on to become one of the club’s top scorers. He won the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield during his time at Arsenal.
• Davor Suker (1998-1999): Suker, a Croatian forward, wore the number 14 shirt during the 1998-99 season. He scored 14 goals in 35 appearances and helped the club finish fifth in the Premier League.
The Curse of the Number 9 Shirt
While the number 14 shirt has been a blessing for Arsenal, the number 9 shirt has been cursed. Since 1998, players who’ve worn the number 9 shirt have struggled to make an impact at the club. Here’s a breakdown of the players who’ve worn the number 9 shirt since 1998:
| Player | Goals | Appearances | Career Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davor Suker | 14 | 35 | Finished fifth in the Premier League |
| Sylvain Wiltord | 9 | 41 | Scored crucial goals in cup competitions |
| Julio Pleguezuelo | 0 | 6 | Failed to score in 6 appearances |
| Lucas Perez | 3 | 21 | Struggled to adapt to the Premier League |
| Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 22 | 92 | Scored crucial goals in big games |
As you can see, the number 9 shirt has been plagued by inconsistency and a lack of success. Whether this is due to superstition or mere coincidence, the curse of the number 9 shirt remains a mystery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the number 14 shirt at Arsenal is currently worn by Edward Keddar Nketiah, a talented young striker who’s making a name for himself at the club. With a rich history of iconic players who’ve worn the shirt, Nketiah has big boots to fill. Whether he can live up to the legacy of the number 14 shirt remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure – he’s off to a great start.
Key Takeaways
• Edward Keddar Nketiah is the current wearer of the number 14 shirt at Arsenal.
• The number 14 shirt has been worn by some of Arsenal’s most iconic players, including Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie.
• The number 9 shirt has been cursed, with players who’ve worn it struggling to make an impact at the club.
• Nketiah has a big job on his hands to live up to the legacy of the number 14 shirt.