Eddie Nketiah has scored seven goals for Arsenal so far this season (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Eddie Nketiah has spoken out about the advice Arsene Wenger gave him at the start of his career as he looks ahead to Arsenal’s trip to arch-rivals Tottenham.
Sunday plays host to the latest edition of the North London derby and the outcome of this clash will have huge ramifications for this season’s title race.
Victory for Arsenal will move Nketiah’s side eight points clear at the top of the table following Manchester City’s defeat to rivals Manchester United on Saturday.
But Tottenham are desperate for a win to keep their top four dreams going and have not lost at home to their fierce rivals since a League Cup clash back in 2015.
The North London derby is the fixture above all else that both sets of players want to win and as a Hale End graduate, the derby means even more to Nketiah.
‘I’ve always been an Arsenal supporter. I joined the club at the age of 14 and I’m 23 now so I understand the importance of the North London Derby,’ the striker told Arsenal.com.
‘Nine years is a long time at the club. I’ve played in quite a few at youth level. I’ve played a couple at senior level so I know I know what it means.
The North London derby is the biggest game of the season for Arsenal and Tottenham players (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
‘[Last time away at Spurs] wasn’t the ideal game. We were in a good position, so obviously that was a disappointing loss and a disappointing end to the season.
‘Of course, that game is in the back of our minds and we want to avenge that. At the same time, we just want the 3 points.
‘We want to do it for the fans and every time you play Tottenham, you don’t need any extra motivation to be up for it. So it’s just about giving our everything.’
Nketiah has had to be patient this season, with summer signing Gabriel Jesus keeping him out of the starting XI for much of it.
Arsene Wenger have Nketiah his debut back in 2017 (Photo by Mike Hewitt – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
But after the Brazil international picked up a lengthy knee injury during the World Cup, the 23-year-old has had to be the main man for Mikel Arteta’s side, and so far he has delivered, scoring four goals in Arsenal’s first four games since the season resumed.
It’s been a long-time coming for Nketiah who made his Gunners debut way back in 2017 under legendary manager Wenger whose words of wisdom have resonated with the striker ever since.
‘Arsene was a great manager. He always used to give me a lot of advice and a lot of confidence,’ the player added.
‘He always used to say: “Be yourself and play your game.” That’s information that’s always stuck with me.
‘For myself, I just go game by game. I know what I can do. I know what I can bring to the team. It’s just about working hard and giving my all to be able to contribute and help the boys. That’s all I look for and then obviously the future will look after itself.
‘I’ve tried to focus on helping the team and improving as a player because I’m only 23 – I’ve still got a lot of years to grow and improve. So if I keep working and improving and growing at the rate I am, I’ll definitely get to where I need to get to.’
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Tottenham host Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
