'You are blind..': Why Mikel Arteta gave 'role model' Eddie Nketiah a start? Arsenal manager reveals

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed his reasons for handing Eddie Nketiah a start in their Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest on Saturday (August 12).

Eddie Nketiah started the match for Arsenal at the Emirates in the absence of injured Gabriel Jesus, and scored the first goal of their league campaign. The Gunners made a winning start to their league season and it was Nketiah who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute with a decent finish.

After the match, the Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was asked about Nketiah's performance and Arteta dissected the reason for choosing the England youth international in his starting lineup.

And the Arsenal boss says he had two clear reasons to opt for Nketiah in the match. The Spanish manager clarified the decision to start Nketiah and also mentioned the striker 'role model' for his immense professionalism and resilience.

"Delighted for him because he's a role model. He's a player that was so disappointed with the absence of Gabby [Jesus], and not to play a final. What he did when he came on the field in the final, was that he changed the game, that's number one," Mikel Arteta said.

"And the second one, 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: 'ah, why am I not playing?', and you have to try and explain. Other players tell you the reasons why they deserve to play, this is exactly what Eddie does," the Gunners boss added.

Nketiah is expected to lead the line for the coming week as Gabriel Jesus looks poised to be sidelined for a few weeks. Arsenal face Crystal Palace next in the league next Monday (August 21) at Selhurst Park.