Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka believes Mikel Arteta's decision to bring on Eddie Nketiah made a 'huge difference' in the Gunners' comeback against Fulham.
Aleksandar Mitrovic pounced on a rare defensive error from Gabriel Magalhaes before slotting the ball past Aaron Ramsdale to put the visitors 1-0 up on the hour mark. Captain Martin Odegaard quickly equalised and led his team back into the game before Gabriel redeemed himself by scoring a late winner.
The Gunners have maintained their perfect start to the season by making it four wins from four to start the 2022/23 campaign. Nketiah's introduction into the game saw him become the focal point in attack, along with a change in formation, and Saka and Gabriel Martinelli swapping wings as Arteta deployed 'plan B'.
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Nketiah started just eight Premier League games last term but enjoyed some success towards the back end of last season as he became Arteta's starting striker. The young forward was rewarded for his efforts with a new contract and number change to Thierry Henry's famous no.14.
Arteta turned to Nketiah ahead of the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos just after the hour mark with the Gunners trailing, and Saka believes his introduction helped turn the game on its head. Speaking after the win, the England international said: "Eddie Nketiah made a real difference for us. I’m happy with his contribution and I’m sure he’ll score a lot of goals for us this season.”
"We had to be patient. Credit to Fulham, they made it difficult for us. In the end, we got the result we wanted, so we’re happy," Saka added.
Summer signing Gabriel Jesus is the no.1 striker for Arteta at the ESakamirates Stadium, but Nketiah's impressive cameo may just give the Spaniard food for thought heading into a busy fixture schedule. The Gunners are thought to be interested in signing a new attacker, but Nketiah may save the club millions should he continue to perform when needed, along with the returns of Smith Rowe and Vieira.
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