Crystal Palace star Eddie Nketiah will be keen to make an impact against former club Arsenal in two games over the next three days. Nketiah departed Emirates Stadium for the Eagles this past summer in a £30million deal but has struggled to make a lasting impact at his new club.
The 25-year-old has played just 57 Premier League minutes in the last six games with a minor injury keeping him out of two of those. Nketiah came on for the final 30 minutes against Brighton this past weekend and provided the assist for Ismaila Sarr’s second goal which helped Palace beat rivals Brighton 3-1.
A start for Nketiah, amid slight injury concerns surrounding Jean-Phillipe Matate and Eberechi Eze, appears likely with the ex-Arsenal striker also having started the previous two Carabao Cup games. His only goal for Palace arrived in the 2-1 third round victory over QPR, and if anyone knows how to score at Emirates Stadium, it is Nketiah.
Upon his switch to across London, Nketiah opened up on the decade he spent representing Arsenal. “Obviously, I’ve been at Arsenal for 11 years, so it was like a home for me,” he told Palace club media. “But leaving, you just want to take that next step in your career.
“I think Crystal Palace is a wonderful place. I’ve seen a lot of players develop and take the next step in their career here – so that’s what I want to do. I want to improve.
“I want to play more minutes, and hopefully help the team as much as I can. I’m just going to build on it – and the more I play, the better I’m going to get.” Unfortunately for him, Arteta deemed his services surplus to requirements with Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all above him in the pecking order last season.
Though he netted 35 goals under Arteta, Nketiah failed to make a lasting impact and with Arsenal only improving in recent years, the tough decision was made by both parties to seek pastures new. Despite leaving on amicable terms, Nketiah will undoubtedly be out to prove a few people wrong over the next few days.
