Saturday was an emotional day for Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah and Takehiro Tomiyasu, as they dedicated their goals to late relatives.

Arsenal's English striker #14 Eddie Nketiah (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring his, and their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 28, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English striker #14 Eddie Nketiah (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring his, and their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 28, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Eddie Nketiah and Takehiro Tomiyasu both managed firsts in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Sheffield United at the weekend.

Nketiah scored his first Premier League hat-trick with three very well-taken goals.

The first was a nice touch to get beyond former Gunner Auston Trusty, followed by a clinical finish. The second was a poacher’s goal, pouncing on a loose ball after a corner.

The third was a strike any player would be proud of, fired into the top corner from outside the box.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Fabio Vieira of Arsenal celebrates with Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal after scoring the team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Fabio Vieira of Arsenal celebrates with Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal after scoring the team’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

After the game, Nketiah dedicated the goals to his aunt and her family.

“To do it at Emirates Stadium, in the Premier League, in front of my family and friends is an amazing feeling,” Nketiah began.

“I lost my aunt not too long ago and I just want to dedicate that to her and her family.

“It’s a day I’ll remember forever.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's fifth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s fifth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Later in the game, Tomiyasu scored his first goal in Arsenal colours, on his 50th appearance for the club, and he also had a dedication after the game.

“Finally! First goal for Arsenal,” Tomiyasu wrote on Instagram, before adding: “This goal is for my mom, who passed away last year.”

It’s lovely that the two players got to have a nice moment on Saturday, after what must have been a tough time for both.

It’s also a reminder that we don’t always know what’s going on behind the scenes for players, so it never hurts to be kind to them.

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