After 2 goals, 18-year-old Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah sends internet into frenzy
Yesterday, a legend was born.
18-year-old Eddie Nketiah came on as a substitute for Arsenal in the 85th minute as the gunners trailed Norwich in the Carabao Cup.
Literally seconds after coming on, Nketiah equalized for Arsenal to send the game into extra time.
Eddie Nketiah equalises for Arsenal just seconds after coming on pic.twitter.com/uuB3LVERSe
— Terje (@xArsenalTerje) October 24, 2017
Then in extra time, Nketiah struck again. Raising high on a corner to head home and give the home side a victory to advance to the next round.
https://twitter.com/ArsenalGoaIs/status/922928751163396098
While Arsenal should never have been losing to Norwich in the first place, Nketiah saved their blushes with a magical brace.
But it wasn’t just his goals, Eddie showed pace, skill, and a determination to get into attacking positions during his brief cameo and everyone was taking notice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKS2X7mfex0&feature=youtu.be
After the game, Nketiah was humble and down to earth, but couldn’t hide what this moment meant to him,
“I’m delighted first of all to make my home debut and to get on a score two goals and win the match for Arsenal FC is a great feeling for me and my family. I’m just so happy that I could hear the fans screaming my name and it’s been a childhood dream for me and I just want to keep pushing on and hopefully you’ll see more goals and many better performances from me.”
The reaction to Nketiah’s performance was wild.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry wasn’t surprised…
https://twitter.com/ThierryHenry/status/922939965734096898
Nketiah, who has spoken about the influence Henry had on him as a player, was thankful to the French striker.
Thanks Thierry, means a lot ❤️ https://t.co/4U2BsSgKNG
— Eddie Nketiah 📞 (@EddieNketiah9) October 24, 2017
Arsenal players weighed in
EDDIEEEEEEEEEEEE
— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin) October 24, 2017
Great work from the team tonight & shout out to @EddieNketiah9 for making the difference and changing the game! #CarabaoCup #Nketiah pic.twitter.com/aS3imUQQ5Q
— Theo Walcott (@theowalcott) October 24, 2017
Buzzing for @EddieNketiah9. Mad night, but through to the next round!! #COYG pic.twitter.com/6uCza3B4qv
— Reiss Nelson (@ReissNelson9) October 24, 2017
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was impressed
https://twitter.com/gunnerblog/status/922943966076653568
Wenger has coached many a young talented player, like Henry, Cesc Fabregas, and Jack Wilshere, often bringing young players into the first team at Arsenal. For Wenger to say that he’s never seen impact like that is high praise indeed.
Nketiah wasn’t even born when Wenger took over at Arsenal
Youth 🔥 pic.twitter.com/K55ESv76WD
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 24, 2017
"I must say I'm impressed to think he was not even conceived when I was already here. Unfortunately that happens now!"
– Wenger on Nketiah pic.twitter.com/zbWODCkNbB
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) October 25, 2017
In typical fashion, Arsenal fans lost their shit
Great decision not to sign MBappe for £160m, Eddie Nketiah as good if not better. Arsene Wenger has done it again.
— Qamar Jaleel (@QamarJaleeI) October 24, 2017
Eddie Nketiah’s Wikipedia has already been updated by Arsenal fans 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/BJlKrvrNXV
— Mahith Gamage (@mahithgamage) October 24, 2017
HES ONE OF OUR OWN pic.twitter.com/KngrFkBY9e
— Benjamin (@bbuick4) October 24, 2017
Already you can see that Nketiah & Mbappé are in a class of their own. Next Ronaldo & Messi.
— FK (@fkhanage) October 24, 2017
Eddie is a BADMAN
https://twitter.com/OzilFIick/status/922928227797970944
It’s Eddie Nketiah’s world now and we’re all just living in it.