Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah described himself as a ‘team player’ by giving up the chance to chalk up a fourth goal in the win over Sheffield United.
Nketiah scored his first Premier League hat-trick in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over the Blades.
But when the Gunners, 3-0 up at the time, were awarded a penalty in the closing stages.
However, the recently-capped England international handed the ball over to Fabio Vieira to score it instead.
“I was going to take it – I wanted to take it.
“I always want to get more goals,” Nketiah explained afterwards.
“Fabio came to me and said he wanted to take it. He won the penalty as well.
“He’s expecting a little one and it was a really good moment for him to get on the scoresheet and dedicate it.
“I’m a team player – I’d scored a hat-trick so I could allow other players to get in on the act.
“He took the penalty and scored, so we’re happy.”
Nketiah has now scored five goals in 10 Premier League appearances so far this season, already matching his best-ever top flight tally.
He has also started eight of those games, compared to nine Premier League starts in the whole of last season, suggesting that, at 24 years of age, the academy graduate is finally establishing himself as an important first-team player.
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The overall result on Saturday also ensures that Arsenal go back above Manchester City into second place on goals scored and keep pace with early leaders and north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
