BBC pundit Stephen Warnock thinks Eddie Nketiah will be ‘absolutely delighted’ after the Arsenal product made his senior debut for England against Australia at Wembley.

The 24-year-old made a Three Lions team for the first time in his career this September. But Gareth Southgate opted against giving Nketiah his England debut in a friendly with Scotland. He left the striker on the bench at Hampden Park after also leaving him out away to Ukraine.

England hosting Australia in a friendly on Friday night afforded Southgate another chance to give Nketiah his debut, though. He introduced the Hale End hero as a 73rd-minute substitute for match-winner, Ollie Watkins. The Aston Villa star had scored the only goal of the contest.

Arsenal star Nketiah finally got his England debut

Nketiah has been waiting a while to make his England debut having produced a prolific haul for the Young Lions. The 24-year-old is England’s record goalscorer at the Under-21 level on 16 in only 17 games. He overtook Alan Shearer for the record in October 2020 with his 14th.

So, for Southgate to finally award Nketiah his debut against Australia, Warnock believes the Arsenal forward will have been thrilled. The fact that the Gunners talent also made his bow at Wembley made it even more special. Nketiah will now hope to take on Italy next Tuesday.

“Nketiah will be absolutely delighted,” Warnock said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “His family will be here, as well, and he’ll be wanting to share the moment with them afterwards. Everyone dreams of playing for their country, especially at Wembley, as well.”

Ghana still want Nketiah to switch his allegiances

While Nketiah will be thrilled to have made his England debut against Australia, he may also hope it was more than a ploy by Southgate to stop him switching allegiances to his parent’s native Ghana. The Sun reported this Thursday that the Black Stars are still keen on Nketiah.

Ghana coach Chris Hughton is a huge fan of Nketiah and remains hopeful of getting Nketiah to switch allegiances. The striker was born in Lewisham, South London but can play with the Black Stars through his parents. He can also still switch allegiances despite facing Australia.

FIFA rules would still allow Nketiah to declare for Ghana as he did not play in, at least, three England fixtures before turning 21. But him playing against Italy on Tuesday would eliminate all hope Hughton still retains. Nketiah has never represented Ghana at any age level to date.

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