18-year-old Eddie Nketiah has been showered in praise by his Arsenal teammates after his senior debut brought two goals and saved the Gunners from League Cup elimination.
Nketiah had been waiting for a chance for a while, consistently maintaining an impressive goal-scoring record for all the youth teams.
This season, he’s had his time with the u23s disrupted by senior appearances on the bench, but he’s still managed three goals and two assists in six games for the side.
Despite all those senior squad appearances, Eddie had only played one minute of first-team action until Tuesday night, but when he was given a bit longer on the pitch against Norwich, he didn’t disappoint.
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/923007206496247808
After the game, current players and former players alike took to social media to praise the youngster’s big breakthrough. Chuba Akpom was excited to see a fellow member of the Arsenal academy do well.
https://twitter.com/cakpom/status/922952213709934593
Meanwhile, Theo Walcott knows what it’s like to get your first Arsenal goal in a League Cup match, and gave Eddie a shout-out.
Great work from the team tonight & shout out to @EddieNketiah9 for making the difference and changing the game! #CarabaoCup #Nketiah pic.twitter.com/aS3imUQQ5Q
— Theo Walcott (@theowalcott) October 24, 2017
Reiss Nelson is close friends with Nketiah, and he was also buzzing to see the striker take his chance so impressively.
Buzzing for @EddieNketiah9. Mad night, but through to the next round!! #COYG pic.twitter.com/6uCza3B4qv
— Reiss Nelson (@ReissNelson9) October 24, 2017
Jack Wilshere is another former Arsenal academy product who will know all too well how Nketiah felt making his debut, and had this to say.
Good to be in the hat for the next round. Well done to @EddieNketiah9 different class mate. Thanks to the fans also, kept us going #AFC
— Jack Wilshere (@JackWilshere) October 24, 2017
Finally, Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorer Thierry Henry had a few words for the u19 international, which Eddie was happy to hear.
What a night for @EddieNketiah9. So happy for him and not surprised at all!
— Thierry Henry (@ThierryHenry) October 24, 2017
Thanks Thierry, means a lot ❤️ https://t.co/4U2BsSgKNG
— Eddie Nketiah (@EddieNketiah9) October 24, 2017
An unforgettable night for the youngster, and one he can hopefully use as inspiration for the future.