Speaking to the media about Saturday's game, Mikel Arteta said: "I'm delighted for Eddie Nketiah because he's a role model.
"A player who was so disappointed, after the injury from Gabriel Jesus, not to play a final, he came on and changed the game. That's no 1.
"The second is the way he trained this week, he was telling me: 'Gaffer, if I don't play — you are blind.' A lot of players come and say why I'm not playing.
"You have to say these are the reasons why I deserve to play. This is exactly what he did and then he goes on the pitch. A very good example for everybody."
Nketiah started on the opening day of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign after not being selected for the Community Shield clash against Manchester City.
The 24-year-old scored the opening goal in the 2–1 win against Nottingham Forest, making the best of Gabriel Martinelli's assist to send a message to Arteta.
