Shay Given has told Premier League Productions that Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah will have been “devastated” to come off against Chelsea – having scored a brace in Wednesday night’s 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge.
Nketiah, 23, had scored twice in what was only his second Premier League start of the campaign. Mikel Arteta rang the changes after three straight defeats to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton beforehand.
It paid off, with Arsenal winning despite goals from Timo Werner and Cesar Azpilicueta. Nketiah got two, either side of Arsenal’s second through Emile Smith-Rowe. Bukayo Saka won and scored a late penalty to win 4-2.
But Given believes amid the delight of starting, scoring twice and doing it against a side that let him go at U14 level, Nketiah will be devastated to have been substituted on 70 minutes, replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.
“Nketiah will be disappointed he got taken off after scoring two goals on 70 minutes. I was asking Wrighty off air, you’re a striker and you’ve scored two goals, hardly started all season, you’d be devastated to come off.”
Given on Nketiah: Arsenal star will overlook frustration to be subbed
Yes, Nketiah might have been slightly frustrated to have been taken off with 20 minutes left to go and the chance of a hat-trick. But he will have been more frustrated if Arsenal had not gone on to win the match.
Had there been some initial annoyance at being subbed, it will have quickly dissipated now – reading the headlines, seeing pundits singing his praises, including the likes of Micah Richards. A special night for Nketiah.
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