Arsenal will look to finish the year on a high when the Premier League leaders visit Brighton for their final match of 2022 this weekend, IgbereTV reports
In the race to catch Arsenal, champions Manchester City have no margin for error when they host struggling Everton, while Newcastle aim to extend their hot streak against Leeds.
Nketiah key to Arsenal charge
With Gabriel Jesus ruled out for several months, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was relieved to see Eddie Nketiah get on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win against West Ham on Boxing Day.
In his first start this season, Nketiah bagged the third goal in the London derby as the 23-year-old proved he can be an able deputy for Brazil striker Jesus, who suffered a knee injury at the World Cup.
While some fans felt Nketiah might struggle to replace the impressive impact made by Jesus since his close-season move from Manchester City, Arteta was confident his young forward could cope with the added scrutiny.
“He’s a really confident boy,” Arteta said. “But hopefully the goal can give him, if he had any doubts, more confidence about what he is capable of doing.”
A win at Brighton on Saturday would ensure Arsenal go into 2023 at least five points clear at the top.
But Arteta knows prolonging their shock title challenge will require Nketiah to continue to flourish.
“His performance was really good. For Eddie and for the team I think it was really important,” Arteta said.
