Eddie Nketiah could hand the Premier League title to Liverpool as former Arsenal star set for Mikel Arteta reunion

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are preparing to welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium, bidding to delay the crowning of Liverpool as title winners.

Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Ipswich meant that the Gunners strengthened their grip on second place in the Premier League and delayed Liverpool’s celebrations.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	33	24	7	2	75	31	44	79
2	ArsenalArsenal	33	18	12	3	61	27	34	66

Mikel Arteta knows however that defeat at home to Crystal Palace would see Arne Slot’s side lift the trophy before their clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Ethan Nwaneri has found it ‘tough’ in his breakthrough season with the first-team but has impressed with some dazzling performances and Arsenal will soon face another former Hale End star in the clash with Palace.

READ MORE: Fabio Capello warns Arsenal about one PSG threat Mikel Arteta must take note of, ‘best’ claim made

Eddie Nketiah set for Arsenal return

Eddie Nketiah is set to return to the Emirates Stadium for the first time in the league since his £30m switch to Crystal Palace last summer.

The 25-year-old has struggled to make a real impact for the Eagles in his debut season with the club but did score in the Carabao Cup against the Gunners in a 3-2 defeat in the quarter-final.

Nketiah has made 24 appearances in the league so far this campaign and only managed one goal in a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa.

However, he has scored two crucial goals in Palace’s FA Cup run and could be set for a start against the Gunners given that Palace will have one eye on their semi-final at Wembley.

It would present Nketiah with the chance to score against the club that sold him and potentially hand the title to Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta praised ‘incredible’ Eddie Nketiah

Nketiah had moments in his Arsenal career where it looked as though he could secure his place as the club’s number nine however, his inconsistent form meant he never quite made the leap.

Arteta was full of admiration for the striker though and during his post-match press conference after Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-2 in January 2023, the Gunners boss hailed the match winner.

Arteta stated: “What Eddie is doing is incredible, We cannot say that we saw that, we were hoping that he could do that because of the way he is, because of his mentality, because of his qualities and how those qualities fit within the team.

“The qualities that he has, how much he wants it, how much belief he’s got in himself to become Arsenal’s number nine.”

Ian Wright was delighted for Nketiah when he scored his first goal for Crystal Palace back in February and Arsenal supporters would love to see their former star improve on his current form there.

However, they will not want to see that turn around in form start at the Emirates in the upcoming clash and hand Liverpool the title.