Eddie Nketiah continues to fire in the goals for the Arsenal u23s, scoring a brace against Chelsea on Saturday despite the team eventually falling to defeat.

In an encounter where both teams seemed to forget how to defend, Chelsea ended up 5-4 winners at Meadow Park. Nketiah brought the team level twice, at 3-3 and 4-4, but it wasn’t enough to get the draw. Bukayo Saka and Daniel Ballard scored the other two Arsenal goals.

The brace puts Nketiah on seven goals in seven league games and one EFL Trophy appearance against Coventry. The 19-year-old also has an assist to add to the tally, putting him on one goal contribution per game this season with the academy.

Nonetheless, it’s notable that the striker still hasn’t played a single competitive minute for the senior side under Unai Emery. Whilst the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Matteo Guendouzi are getting chances from his age group, Nketiah is still waiting. He’s made the bench on multiple occasions, but that’s as close as he’s come.

There have been chances to give him minutes. The games against Brentford and Blackpool looked perfect for the young striker. However, now his best opportunity will likely come if Arsenal can wrap up the Europa League group stage on Thursday against Sporting Lisbon.

That, plus a draw/win for Qarabag in the Vorskla match, would turn the final two games into dead rubbers. Arsenal would top the group, and Emery could experiment with the likes of Nketiah. We’ll see if the Gunners can get the three points.