Following Arsenal’s vital home win over Jesse Marsch’s Leeds, Mikel Arteta waxed poetic about Eddie Nketiah and the reasons why the Gunners fans love him.
Arsenal took an early lead due to a brace from former Leeds loanee Nketiah, who put the Gunners ahead after closing down Ilian Meslier and forcing the opening only five minutes in. The second came minutes, when Gabriel Martinelli set up the England Under-21 star, who made no mistake from roughly 12 yards out.
The Arsenal manager praised his team’s matchwinner after the game. “Well, he’s doing what he’s done all season, whether he’s been on the bench or at home — this guy doesn’t change, and that’s why we love him,” Arteta said. “Now that he has the correct empowerment and persons around him, he can be assessed on his performance on the field.”
“It’s fantastic [to win], it’s always nice to score, it was a big three points,” Nketiah remarked after the game. We’ve put in a lot of effort, and it feels great to gain the three points and go closer to our goals.”
“I’ve worked hard throughout the season so I was ready to seize my chance,” he said when asked about his personal re-emergence in the side. I owe my success to my teammates; I’m simply delighted to be a part of the team and contribute.”
Soon after the second, Leeds captain, Luke Ayling was sent out for a heinous two-footed lunge on Martinelli at the corner flag, and things went from good to terrific for the Gunners. Before VAR intervened and the umpire changed his original verdict, referee Chris Kavanagh slapped a yellow card.
Arsenal squandered chances either side of half-time, with players like Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka all unable to strike the back of the net. Just after the hour mark, the Emirates was full with tension as Fernando Llorente drew one back for the visitors.
Leeds’ goal halted Arsenal’s remarkable record of not conceding from a corner this season, with Llorente scoring past Aaron Ramsdale, who had been a spectator up until that moment. The hosts were stunned at first, and they let the following five minutes pass them by without creating any significant opportunities.
With roughly 20 minutes remaining to play, Saka and Martinelli were both hooked, which is likely owing to Arteta’s focus on Thursday night’s massive North London Derby. When Rodrigo had the chance to equalize in second-half stoppage time, the whole home crowd held their breath.
Arsenal is currently one win away from securing their spot in the Champions League next season. If Arsenal wins at home against their arch-rivals on Thursday, they will have eliminated Spurs’ aspirations of competing in Europe’s top club tournament next season.