Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah continues to prove the doubters wrong as he stepped up to the plate once again on Sunday in a huge clash against Manchester United. The young striker scored an emphatic brace against the Red Devils to hand his side all three points in a title race six-pointer.
Nketiah's first came at a crucial time, arriving at the back post to head a searching cross beyond David de Gea to draw his side level after conceding early in the first half. The game appeared to be nearing a draw late on, but there was still one opportunity left to be taken.
It arrived for the home side in the 89th minute as Oleksandr Zinchenko found Martin Odegaard in the box, who hit his shot into the ground. De Gea appeared to have it covered, but Nketiah was acting as a goal-scoring poacher once again, finding himself in the right place at the right time to flick the ball into the back of the net.
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It proved to be a deciding touch, with the Gunners restoring their five-point lead at the top of the table with a game in hand over nearest rivals Manchester City. The match and the recent run of form has proved Mikel Arteta right over Nketiah's role for the side in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.
“We have more faith in Eddie every single day. We see every day what he brings to the team, what he is as a human being and the way he is developing as a player," The manager said back in December. "We got a great response last year when we needed him and he did really well for the team. He is ready. That is why he signed his contract. He is a key player in our squad and he is going to have chances to play."
It also makes an easy transfer decision for Arteta and his recruitment staff before the end of the January window, who have already made two signings this month. While some questioned the need to add a striker to the squad, Nketiah shows there's no need for another and some faith needs to be shown in his ability.
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