Arsenal’s academy product Eddie Nketiah was way over the moon after netting his first league treble for the Gunners in front of home supporters as the Gunners swept Sheffield United aside.
The England international immediately dedicated his maiden Premier League hat-trick to an aunt 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 . 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.”
Eddie’s afternoon began with a fine touch and finish that registered his first goal, before he slammed home a second from close range. But it was his third goal that was the icing on the cake, smashing the ball into the top corner from long-range.
Post-match, Nketiah revealed that he had been putting in extra work on the training ground practising scoring long-range goals 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.”
Nketiah could’ve had a fourth goal after Arsenal were awarded a late penalty but Nketiah passed up the opportunity instead 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.”