Watch Eddie Nketiah take the YARD miss of the season
Watch Eddie Nketiah take the YARD miss of the season against Everton... after refusing a new contract.
Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal was nominated for miss-of-the-season after hitting the post from barely a yard out against Everton.
With just seven minutes remaining, the Gunners striker had a chance to reclaim the lead for his club, but he fluffed his lines, allowing Demarai Gray to score the Toffees’ winner just minutes later.
Arsenal were pursuing a victory after Richarlison’s 80th minute strike cancelled out Martin Odegaard’s first-half goal.
As the clock approached 84 minutes, Bukayo Saka floated a magnificent lob to the back post, and they appeared to have done enough.
On the right wing, the winger executed a pair of tight step-overs before moving the ball to his preferred left foot.
He chipped an inch-perfect cross to the waiting Nketiah and all he had to do was nod it in after carving out a yard of space.
The 22-year-old dashed up to it and headed it down, but the ball bounced off the post’s foot.
Gooners on social media were furious with the reserve attacker, especially after Gray made it 2-1 to the home side late in the game.
Sebastian described it as “astonishing.”
And, according to Gooner chatter, “Nketiah and Aubameyang both missed two complete sitters.
“Why do they continue to play for this team?
“In January, get them out and sign some decent forwards. It’s not even a joke.”
The blunder came just days after the forward reportedly turned down a new contract with the Gunners.
He might now depart on a free transfer at the end of the season as a result of his decision.
THE FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN
Newcastle is thought to be interested in spending its freshly acquired Saudi wealth.
Nketiah is apparently fed up with his lack of first-team opportunities and believes he needs a change to resurrect his stumbling career.
His current contract expires at the end of the season, and a number of clubs are keeping an eye on him, including Borussia Moenchengladbach, Nice, and Crystal Palace.
In the summer, he was close to joining Palace, but the teams couldn’t agree on a transfer fee.
Arsenal also refused to let him go out on loan during the last year of his contract with the club.
After being released by Chelsea, the England Under-21 international joined the Gunners in 2015.
Since his debut four years ago, he has 15 goals in 69 appearances for the club in all competitions.
However, he has only been in the Premier League as a substitute in the bulk of those games, and he had not played in the league since April before last week’s 3-2 loss at Manchester United.