Ghanaian-born striker Eddie Nketiah scored his first Premier League goal of the 2022/23 season as Arsenal defeated West Ham United 3-1 at Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day.
The table toppers fell behind to Said Benrahma’s 27th-minute penalty but a spirited second-half fightback saw the Gunners open up a seven-point gap over Newcastle, who moved into second place earlier on Monday following a convincing win at Leicester.
Bukayo Saka equalised from close range in the 53rd minute while Gabriel Martinelli smashed the ball inside the near post six minutes later to put Arsenal in front.
Striker Nketiah, making his first league start of the season in place of the injured Gabriel Jesus, added a third – the game-clinching strike in the 69th.
Arsene Wenger praise
The legendary Frenchman was back at Arsenal for the first time since his departure in 2018, this time in the stands, much to the delight of a capacity crowd.
And one of his proteges at the club, Nketiah, scored.
Speaking after the match, Nketiah said he was ‘delighted’ to see Arsene Wenger around.
Nketiah was handed his debut by Wenger five years ago, an occasion the striker marked with two goals in a Carabao Cup tie against Norwich.
“It’s good to have him back,” Nketiah told Amazon Prime after the game when told of Wenger’s presence.
“Obviously he coached me myself and gave me my debut so hopefully he’s happy and proud of us all.”
The Arsenal No.14 has scored 11 goals in his last 11 starts for Arsenal in all competitions at the Emirates, notching them from just 16 shots on target.
