MY EDDIE CAN BE A TOP GUN
Arteta lauds Nketiah after first league hat-trick for Arsenal
ON 58 minutes, the chant ‘Eddie, Eddie, Eddie’ quickly reverberated around the Emirates.
Gabriel Jesus, in the stands following an injury picked up against Sevilla on Tuesday, rose to his feet, in sync with the crowd.
Once the ball had left Eddie Nketiah’s foot from outside the area, the goal’s top-left corner was beckoning. Goalkeeper Wes Foderingham knew it, too.
The finish capped his first league hat-trick in a complete striker’s performance. He looked to the heavens and lifted the ball with one hand in celebration, in tribute to his late aunt.
He said later: ‘It’s not been easy. Last month I lost my auntie, so I want to dedicate these three goals to her. Her family were here watching, so it is a really special moment.’
The 24-year-old has now scored four league goals in 10 appearances in this campaign. For Mikel Arteta, the signs are promising with forward depth an area that has been questioned amid links to Ivan Toney in January.
The technique and confidence in the first and third goals show Nketiah can play an important role in the squad this season. It comes into focus with Jesus injured once again, and back-up strikers a crucial element for the Gunners if they are to compete across a plethora of competitions this season.
His contribution was underlined by captain Bukayo Saka — the winger’s first time as skipper in the league — passing him the armband when substituted.
Arteta was left lauding his man, and despite the three goals he believes Nketiah (below) can still get ‘much better’.
‘You look at the stats from his last 10 years,’ Arteta said. ‘What he’s done is remarkable and he needs minutes, opportunities and service, and if he gets that Eddie is going to score goals, that’s for sure.’
Sheffield United were abject and are the only team in the league yet to pick up a win all season. On the evidence of yesterday afternoon, one could see why.
They had retreated from the first minute, banking on fortunate breaks forward. After the first goal arrived, that strategy turned to damage limitation. The rumours surrounding Paul Heckingbottom facing the sack will surely intensify after shipping five goals, adding to the preceding 24 in the league.
An area which will again be on the mind of Arteta, though, is Kai Havertz, who gave the ball away on occasion, particularly in the first half.
It’s easily forgettable against a team like the Blades, but not against better sides. The home fans made their thoughts clear, the groans audible. The Spaniard made five changes from the 2-1 midweek win over Sevilla, the dropping of captain Martin Odegaard taking most by surprise. By now, it is accepted that the Arsenal line-up week-to-week is a lottery.
No player, aside from William Saliba, is a guaranteed starter. But dropping the captain, who signed a five-year deal last month?
Odegaard has been troubled by hip pain, but it was still a reflection of the cut-throat environment Arteta has created.
Emile Smith Rowe, making his first league start this season, received one of the biggest roars of the first half after a retreating tackle and pass on 10 minutes. He is much-loved around these parts and must know the left-side spot in central midfield is up for grabs, with Havertz yet to convince.
The opener arrived after 28
minutes, Declan Rice shaping his body towards Ben White on the right before pivoting to play the ball in to Nketiah. He turned ex-colleague Auston Trusty, and slotted past Foderingham.
Gabriel Martinelli nearly had a second by half-time, rolling the ball from his right foot to left, though his shot was parried.
That was after teeing up Saka on 20 minutes by shimmying past two defenders, but his team-mate could not untangle his feet.
Nketiah picked up where he left off from the restart. Saka’s corner floated to Foderingham. He flapped at it, the ball falling to the striker. He lashed it high into the net, the VAR check passed on whether White impeded the keeper.
The England man must have known a better chance for a hattrick might not come his way again in the current campaign.
He duly scored his third, with a sublime strike after 58 minutes. By this point United’s confidence — they haven’t won at Arsenal since August 1971 — was on the floor.
White had a crack from distance saved and substitute Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is becoming a folk hero in this part of north London — his spirited performances when called upon appreciated — dragged a strike wide, before then lashing a top-corner volley home in the dying minutes.
By the end, substitute Fabio Vieira got on the scoresheet, too, after being awarded a penalty via a VAR check, having been felled by Oliver Norwood. He coolly converted the penalty.
A smooth day’s work for the Gunners, in the face of blunted Blades.
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya 6; White 7.5 (Tomiyasu 66min, 7), Saliba 7, Kiwior 6.5, Zinchenko 6.5; Smith Rowe 6 (Vieira 73, 7), Rice 8 (Elneny 89), Havertz 5; Saka 7 (Nelson 73, 6.5), Nketiah 9, Martinelli 7 (Trossard 66, 7). Booked: None. Subs (not used): Ramsdale, Gabriel, Odegaard, Jorginho.
SHEFF UTD (4-5-1): Foderingham 5; Bogle 5.5 (Baldock 71, 5.5), Trusty 5.5, Robinson 5.5, Thomas 5.5; McAtee 5.5 (Fleck 71, 5.5), Norwood 5, Ben Slimane 5.5 (Osborn 59, 5.5), Souza 5.5, Hamer 5.5 (One 83); Brewster 5.5 (Archer 59, 5.5). Booked: Osborn, Bogle, Norwood. Subs (not used): Davies, Traore, Larouci, Brooks. Referee: T Robinson (West Sussex) 6.