Nketiah full of confidence for north London derby

Eddie Nketiah can’t wait for Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Looking to replicate last season’s trip to the home of our rivals, when we won 2-0 thanks to a Hugo Lloris own goal and a 36th-minute strike from Martin Odegaard, Eddie is confident that we can get a positive result again.

In what has been a season of firsts for Eddie - first Premier League hat-trick, first UEFA Champions League goal, and an England debut - a first goal in the derby is next up on his objective list.

“Hopefully! That’s the aim,” he said. “I want to push and help, not just me, everyone wants to finish strong and have something to celebrate at the end of the season.

“Arsenal tend to do a bit better in the derbies so I’ve seen a lot of wins, I’ve played in a few myself and it was quite memorable the one I started in last season. The team had a good win and performance and that was a really nice feeling so I’m going there with full confidence that hopefully this year we can replicate it. Why not?

“It’s exciting. As a fan of the club also and a player who has come through the academy, I know what it means to the fans. I feel like that as well so we’re really eager. We’re pushing, every single player is giving their all, the staff are giving their all to make sure that we hopefully come back with something at the end of the season.”

As for his personal campaign, Eddie is proud of his achievements but understandably has been disappointed not to get as many minutes as he’d like.

“I think I’ve hit some really good highs,” he said. “When I was playing regularly I was really happy with my performances. Going to two England camps, making my debut, getting my first Premier League hat-trick and Champions League goal, I’ve achieved quite a few landmarks which I’ve set out.

“Of course in the second half of the season I haven’t started as many games as I’d like, but these things happen and the team has been doing well so I’ve had to play a different role. That’s football and things change really quickly, but I think it’s a season to still be proud of and I’m only going to get better. All the experiences I’ve had this season are going to help me going forward.”

Eddie recognises that substitutes have still had an important part to play this season, frequently coming on to make an impact in important moments.

"We're all going to be needed and have our moment to contribute"

“We’re all going to be needed,” he said. “Everyone’s getting different opportunities. Obviously it’s tough for different players getting different minutes but at this stage of the season it’s just about putting your own personal preferences and ego to the side and doing whatever is best for the team. 

"If you get one minute to come on, you’ve got to give your best minute. If you get ten minutes or you start, everyone’s got to be ready. We’re all going to be needed and have our moment to contribute.”

Backing us on have been our fantastic supporters, at Emirates Stadium and away from home, and Eddie feels that the connection with Gooners in the stands can carry us on to an unforgettable end.

“I think it’s been amazing,” he said. “I think it’s gone one step further this season. You can see the interaction between the players and the fans and it’s helping us. Our home record is so strong you know. I think people can come here and feel the atmosphere, opposition as well, so it’s really good and hopefully it can continue.

“Credit to all the boys. Everyone is contributing, the staff as well, for everything we’ve done. We’ve put in a lot of work over this period and over the break we had and it’s really paying dividends now. We’re in the business end of the season so we’ve all got to be ready to contribute and help.”