Nektiah’s brace fires Arsenal to an impressive win over Chelsea. Arsenal defeated Chelsea 4:2 on Wednesday night to go level on point with Tottenham Hotspur.
The Gunners came into the game on the back of two consecutive loses to both Crystal palace and Southampton and we’re beginning to lose ground on the top four race.
Nektiah’s: Chelsea on the other hand were on a three games winning streak and had just booked thier place in the FA cup final after defeating Crystal palace.
On paper the blues looked like the in-form team and the Gunners looked like a side lacking in confidence.
The case was reverse as the Gunners started the game on the front foot,they were missing Alexander Lacazette and Eddie Nketia was the one chosen to lead the lines and he grabbed his opportunity with both hands as he opened the scoring for Mikel Arteta side.
The Hale-end academy graduate profiting from Barcelona bound Andrea Christensen, the Chelsea defender played an under hit pass to Mendy and Eddie Nketia stole the ball before slotting pass the Senegalese shot stopper.
Arsenal were all over the place defensively as it took the blues just four minutes before finding the equalizer.
Timo Werner who is on a rich vein of form got the blues level on the 17th minute as his deflected shot went into the back of the net.
Chelsea were more urgent in thier play as they controlled possession in the midfield and won fifty-fifty challenge.
But Mikel Arteta side were defending for thier lives as they sat deep looking to break on the counter.
The Gunners then went forward on a quick counter attack as Martin Odegaard found Emile Smith Rowe who sided footed the ball past the reach of Edouard Mendy making it 2:1 to Arsenal.
it was end to end stuff as the blues continue to roam around the Gunners back line, searching for the equalizer.
Mason Mount won the ball on the corner flag in the midst of three Arsenal players before putting in a delightful cross that was swiftly met by Cesar Azpilicueta to tie the scores at two all.
The first half would end all square as all four shots on target from both sides went into the back of the net.
Andrea Christensen was woeful althrough the first half and was replaced during the half time break by Thomas Tuchel.
Both sides were a bit cautious at the start if the second half as both defense gave little way.
The Gunners were a bit aggressive as they looked to match the blues man to man.
A comedy of errors at the back saw the ball ricochet off Malang Sarr and Eddie Nketia was on hand to poke the ball into the back of the net to complete his brace and put the Gunners ahead.
Chelsea were looking vulnerable at the back as they went to attack the Arsenal defense.Wave and waves of attack without a backline missing Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva.
The Gunners got the final goal through England international Bukayo Saka who dispatched his penalty with aplum sending the Chelsea Goalkeeper the wrong way.
Thomas Tuchel in his post-match interview after the 4-2 defeat to Arsenal: “The pitch is very difficult. It’s not to our favour. The ball bounces very awkwardly in front of Andreas [Christensen].”
Arsenal go level on point with Tottenham as they continue their push for a top four berth.Mikel Arteta will be glad with his youngster expecially Eddie Nketia who was voted man of the match.
