Nketiah - ‘It’s a day I’ll remember forever’

Eddie Nketiah cannot tell you how many times he’s dreamt of scoring a Premier League hat-trick for Arsenal.

Our academy product netted his first league treble for the Gunners in front of our home supporters as we swept Sheffield United aside.

The England international dedicated his maiden Premier League hat-trick to a family member who recently passed away.

“To do it at Emirates Stadium, in the Premier League, in front of my family and friends is an amazing feeling,” he said.

“I lost my aunt not too long ago and I just want to dedicate that to her and her family.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dreamt of this moment - to get three goals in a Premier League [match]. I’m a childhood supporter of the club, so to do it in front of the fans, my friends, my family and my team-mates is an amazing feeling. It’s a day I’ll remember forever.”

A fine touch and finish opened Eddie’s account for the afternoon before he slammed home a second from close range.

But it was the striker’s third goal that was the crowning moment of the match, smashing the ball into the top corner from long-range.

And Nketiah revealed that he’s been putting in the work on the training ground to find the net from outside the box.

“I’ve been practicing a little bit from [long] range in training,” he admitted. “Emile [Smith Rowe] passed it to me, I had some space, I took a good strike and it went in.”

Our number 14 could’ve had a fourth on the day after Arsenal were awarded a late penalty but Nketiah passed up the opportunity to Fabio Vieira.

He said: “I was going to take it - I wanted to take it. I always want to get more goals.

“Fabio [Vieira] came to me and he wanted to take it. He won the penalty as well. He’s expecting a little one and it was a really good moment for him to get on the scoresheet and dedicate it.

“I’m a team player - I’d scored a hat-trick and I could allow other players to get in on the act. He took the penalty and scored, so we’re happy.”