Alan Smith has praised Eddie Nketiah on Twitter after helping Arsenal come from behind to beat Wolves 2-1 on Thursday night, having set the standard the striker must now maintain.
Mikel Arteta introduced Nketiah in the 76th-minute at the Emirates Stadium as he sought a way back into the game. Wolves took the lead early on when Hwang Hee-Chan seized upon Gabriel Magalhaes’ poor pass. The visitors then sat in deep to defend the lead throughout.
Bruno Lage’s side offered little in attack once Hwang put the Molineux natives ahead in the 10th-minute. Instead, they sought to keep things tight at the back and irritate the Gunners, who struggled to find a way to break through the banks of men stood protecting Jose Sa.
Martin Odegaard eventually found Arsenal’s key to unlocking Wolves in the 82nd-minute by lifting the ball up to Nketiah. The Norwegian played a delightful pass into the box for the striker to run on to and cut play back to fellow substitute Nicolas Pepe for their equaliser.
Nketiah cut a smart ball in to Pepe with Wolves skipper Conor Coady inches from making a vital interception. It left the Ivory Coast forward clear to shoot and hit the back of the net.
Smith feels ‘much better’ Nketiah set his new standard in Arsenal win
Smith has often been critical of Nketiah, having struggled to match his remarkable EFL Cup efforts in the Premier League. The Arsenal hero now urges the Hale End product to keep his performances at the level achieved off the bench against Wolves to help inspire a 2-1 win.
“Much better from Nketiah,” Smith wrote. “That’s the standard from here on in.”
Wolves marked Nketiah’s seventh Premier League appearance so far this season, with each outing coming off Arsenal’s bench. He has featured for a mere total of 80-minutes, as well, and is yet to score. His assist for Pepe to equalise was additionally his first of the campaign.
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