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Arsenal Vs Bournemouth: 5 things we learned – Welcome back, Eddie Nketiah

By Andrew Dowdeswell

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /
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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

4. Welcome back, Eddie

It was a frustrating six months for Eddie Nketiah at Leeds United. He moved north in the hope of regular football. He never really got it, making just two league starts. Arsenal recalled him as a result of his limited opportunities. Mikel Arteta, consequently, is keen to use the 20-year-old centre-forward as much as possible, starting with 90 minutes here.

Nketiah’s performance was an encouraging one. While service was limited, especially in the second half, he worked immensely hard when out of possession, pressed the Bournemouth defenders incessantly, ran the channels, held up the ball well with his back to the goal, and did the dirty work that a modern-day centre-forward must do.

He also got that crucial goal. After laying off the ball for Joe Willock, he immediately span and burst into the penalty area to get on the end of Bukayo Saka’s cross. That goalscoring instinct was clear, as it has been throughout his young career, and Arteta will look to use it throughout the remainder of the season.