Eddie Nketiah’s surprise decision denied him the chance to break a 14-year-old Arsenal record

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Arsenal were rampant as they beat Sheffield United 5-0, in a game which saw Eddie Nketiah score his first-ever Premier League hattrick.

Nketiah scored the first three goals quite superbly, before Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu added to the misery of the visitors in a five-star performance from Arsenal.

The 24-year-old took his first goal superbly, beating former Arsenal defender Auston Trusty with a sensational first touch before slotting home, then in the second half he doubled the lead with a fine finish following a corner.

The best was yet to come, as he fired in a sensational third goal from outside the box, meaning he could return home with the match ball.

However, he made a decision which both surprised and pleased the fans in the Emirates, but one which meant he could not break a 14-year-old record.

Nketiah’s surprise decision

With Arsenal 3-0 up, and Nketiah subsequently wearing the captain’s armband following the substitution of Bukayo Saka, Fabio Vieira was brought down in the penalty box.

After a lengthy VAR check, a penalty was awarded, and Nketiah had the ball in his hands ready to take it, to score his fourth goal.

However, he chose to give the penalty to Vieira, who converted for his first goal of the season. Whilst Nketiah had scored his first Premier League hattrick, he had missed out on the chance to score four.

Nketiah’s chance to make history

Just two Arsenal players have scored four goals in a single Premier League game in the club’s history: Thierry Henry and Andrei Arshavin.

Henry scored four in a 5-0 win over Leeds United in April 2004, and Arshavin scored all of Arsenal’s goals in an astonishing 4-4 draw away at Liverpool in April 2009.

In the 14 years since Arshavin’s incredible display, not a single Arsenal player had achieved this feat, but Nketiah could have joined both in this highly exclusive list.

However, the striker may not be too disappointed. He has already made headlines with his hattrick, and his selfless gesture meant that Vieira was able to get on the scoresheet for a rare goal.