Plenty of questions were asked over Eddie Nketiah's ability to fill in for Gabriel Jesus in the Arsenal frontline and he may well have answered some of those against West Ham. Plenty of faith was placed in the Hale End academy graduate by Mikel Arteta in the lead up to the clash.
Jesus' boots were some big ones for Nketiah to fill, with the Brazilian improving the side in all phases of play since joining the club from Manchester City. His injury at the World Cup is set to keep him out of action for months to come, raising the possibility of a transfer in January to replace him.
However, Nketiah was given the nod for the game against the Hammers to show he can play that role in his strike partner's absence. "We got a great response last year when we needed him..." Arteta said about the possibility of starting the forward. "He is ready. That is why he signed his contract. He is a key player in our squad."
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The 23-year-old backed up that claim throughout against the Hammers, before turning Thilo Kehrer with a great twist to put him through on goal, then slotting the ball beyond Lukasz Fabianski. It gave the Gunners a key third goal in the game and saw his side move a step closer to victory.
While Nketiah will have to contribute in all phases of play and with some consistency, it's an ideal start to a potential run of games in the first-team. Arsenal fans took to social media to have their say on the striker.
@ManeNasty: "Gabriel Jesus didn’t forget to give the phone to Nketiah."
@KinshukaLucrin: "OUR BOY EDDIE."
@Asensii20: "Best backup striker in the league."
@villagegist_: "Perfect replacement for Gabriel Jesus?"
@omolalomi: "Back him with all you heart!"
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