Micah Richards has told Match of the Day that Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is “always in the right positions”. Nketiah bagged a brace, his first Premier League goals of the season, as Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.
Nketiah, 22, was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up as Arsenal took on Chelsea in West London. Mikel Arteta made a number of changes to his side, bringing in the likes of Mo Elneny and Rob Holding, after three losses.
It paid off. Nketiah was superb for Arsenal, in what was only his second Premier League start of the season. It comes after an interview with TBG Podcast, in which he stated his frustration at a lack of game time.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Richards paid tribute to the ex-Leeds loanee for his display. He said Nketiah’s display was full of “desire”, and he always seems to be in the “right positions” as he scored two of Arsenal’s four.
“In terms of his desire and running in behind. Lacazette is a good player but he comes to feet. When you stretch defenders, it’s so hard for them when they’re running the wrong way.
“He’s always in the right positions. You’ve got to be in there, it’s a poachers goal. He bangs in goals for fun. He really took his chance,” Richards told Match of the Day on Wednesday night, which aired on BBC One at 10.30PM.
Richards on Nketiah: Arteta comments will please Arsenal star
Mikel Arteta spoke after the match, stating that Nketiah deserved more game time. The belief is that Arsenal want to keep the former England Under-21 skipper – with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
What Nketiah has done with his performance at former club Chelsea, is given Arteta a headache. He has made it nigh on impossible to drop the striker, when the Gunners play host to Manchester United on Saturday.
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