Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah wrote his name in the record books by becoming the joint-highest goalscorer for the England Under-21 side, although he would have preferred to earn this accolade in happier circumstances than a 3-3 draw with Andorra U21s.
The match report by the BBC called it a "shock result" for Aidy Boothroyd's side, but even that disappointing scoreline couldn't overshadow Nketiah's impressive achievement. His 13th goal for the U21 side reinforced that Arsenal and England boast a striker with great potential.
By reaching that all-important number of 13, Nketiah brought himself alongside two strikers who would go on to enjoy contrasting careers at the highest level of the sport. Only one of those players would rack up a record of a goal per game for the England national side, but it is fair to say that Francis Jeffers's supremacy over Alan Shearer ends there.
The next Shearer or Jeffers?
The headline selected by The Mirror for the story of Nketiah's achievement only mentions Shearer, reflecting a hope that the Arsenal striker carves out a career more like Shearer than Jeffers. With 30 goals in 63 England caps, plus the small matter of his status as the Premier League's all-time top goalscorer, Shearer is one of the greatest role models for aspiring strikers in England.
Jeffers provides a cautionary tale that U21 success is no guarantee of a lengthy England career. Jeffers did don the Three Lions shirt in a full international, bagging a consolation in a friendly defeat to Australia. The 'fox in the box' also impressed Arsene Wenger enough to convince the boss to take him from Everton to Arsenal.
You don't become an England international or a Wenger signing by pure luck alone, but Nketiah will want to make a greater impression in the Premier League and England setup than Jeffers.
Becoming an Arsenal regular
Nketiah impressed for Arsenal in the latter half of last season after his Championship loan spell with Leeds was cut short, with the young forward hitting four goals in 17 appearances for the Gunners. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta chose Nketiah to lead the line ahead of Alexandre Lacazette on occasion, which will have been a massive boost to the English striker's confidence.
Nketiah has been used more sparingly by Arteta in Arsenal's opening quartet of Premier League matches this season, accumulating 90 minutes of playing time across four appearances. Arsenal's performances have impressed the punters at football betting sites like Space Casino, which may make it difficult for Nketiah to establish himself as a regular starter. As of October 9, Space Casino's outright Premier League market priced Arsenal at 22/1, with their early form propelling the Gunners ahead of the previously-fancied Manchester United in the list of title favourites.
With Arsenal in the hunt for a top-four spot and with aspirations of keeping pace in the title race, Arteta may be more inclined to opt for Lacazette's experience over Nketiah's youthful exuberance. Positive quotes cited by The Guardian show that Arteta rates Nketiah as an extremely talented prospect, with the Arsenal boss declaring in late September that a continuation of the striker's form should take him to the brink of an England call-up.
Gareth Southgate will be impressed with Nketiah's impact at club level, with the forward's late cameo against West Ham seeing him bag a crucial winner for the Gunners, while his record-breaking performances for the U21 side are impossible for an England manager to ignore. While it's unfair to call anyone the next Alan Shearer, Nketiah will hope to follow in the footsteps of a fellow U21 success story by becoming an England and Premier League regular.
