Arsenal star Nketiah pleased with "great restart" as he hails fans

Arsenal FC extended their lead at the top over Newcastle, who moved second by beating Leicester earlier on Monday.

Arsenal star Nketiah pleased with "great restart" as he hails fans [Getty]

Arsenal academy graduate Eddie Nketia has heaped praise on the Gunners fans, saying 'the home fans gave us everything we needed and we delivered.'

Mikel Arteta's side put in a dominating performance on Boxing Day as they ran out 3-1 winners over West Ham United to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table after the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

West Ham took the lead when Jarrod Bowen was judged to have been fouled by William Saliba in the penalty box, and Said Benrahma stepped up to smash the ball down the middle to break the deadlock. But, Arsenal fought back as second-half goals from Bakayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Nketiah handed the hosts the three points.

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However, after the match, the Gunners prodigy said 'we are all focused on the same objective: winning every game.'

'Focused on the same objective'

Speaking to Amazon Prime, Nketiah said: "It was a great restart. I think all the boys were at it today and it was nice for me to come in and contribute.

"We were very dominant today, we were just lacking that final pass. But we kept going and once we got one we knew we'd get more because we could feel the atmosphere behind us. There's a real unity and connection with the fans and we want to build on it.

"We want to keep pushing and finish as high as possible, and we're in great form at the moment."

He added: "I turned a couple of times and got clipped. Then Martin [Odegaard] played it to me. I could feel the defender behind so rolled him and managed to finish."

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When quizzed about replacing the injured Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus, he replied: "There's pressure any time you play for Arsenal Football Club. I'm not here to replace him, I want to be my own player, but we all wish him well."

'Fans gave us everything'

Goalscorer Saka added: "The second half was much better than the first, the first game back you are getting into your rhythm. We had a lot of possession in the first half but then we were more effective.

"We all know how important today was and we are all focused on the same objective: winning every game.

"The home fans gave us everything we needed and we delivered."

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