After losing to Atletico Madrid on penalties on Thursday, Arsenal sent out a defiant message today, thrashing PSG 5-1 in Singapore, and fans were thrilled by the display of young striker Eddie Nkeitah.
Bernd Leno was in goal as Arsenal welcomed back Mesut Ozil, and he got the opening goal of the game in the 13th minute after Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang squared to the maligned German.
That was a great way to silence the haters after Ozil had retired from international football over bad treatment.
PSG equalised from the penalty spot in the second half before a quickfire brace from Alexandre Lacazette put the Gunners in total control.
Rob Holding made it 4-1 before Nketiah got in the act, scoring Arsenal’s fifth after being assisted by another younsgter Reiss nelson.
It was an impressive performance from Arsenal and fans were particularly excited by Nketiah, who has made just 10 senior appearances, scoring two goals.
Here are the best reactions from Arsenal fans:
https://twitter.com/ChrisTapp23/status/1023201979709964288
Guendouzi, Reiss , Nketiah ,Smith Rowe are absolute gems ? hoping to see them more in league cup games #afc
— Reiss (@ReissAFC) July 28, 2018
How do we create space for Nketiah in the side cause somehow he has to play
— Jiggy (@__Shola) July 28, 2018
Nketiah has the potential to break Henry's goal scoring record
— ? Neil ? (@TheNeilesh) July 28, 2018
Nketiah is a natural prolific scorer.
He'll score loads of them with playing time.— Habeeb ???? (@Habletic) July 28, 2018
Nketiah a upcoming superstar
— Mufi (@Mufz11) July 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheEmeryates_/status/1023200041551515648
Nketiah… that kid can finish
— louis jones (@louisjones1999) July 28, 2018
Nketiah with a clinical finish! He’s deserved that, he’s been a breath of fresh air since he came on! The future looks bright!
Eddie, Eddie, Eddie! #ICC2018
— The Chronicles of a Gooner (@tcoagpod) July 28, 2018
OPINION
After a really disappointing end to the Arsene Wenger era at Arsenal, there’s new-found optimism among fans this summer. Some of the younger players have looked really sharp and fans are clearly hoping for big things from Nketiah. He won’t be a starter this season but fans want him to be involved and he grasped his opportunity with both feet today, scoring the final goal of the game and looking sharp and up for it throughout. It’s too much to expect Arsenal to challenge for the title next season surely, but fans will be eyeing a top-four spot again after missing Champions League football. Can Nektiah make the breakthrough? Fans certainly hope so.