EDDIE NKETIAH paid a heartfelt tribute to Arsenal after completing his transfer to Crystal Palace where he quickly bumped into a familiar face.
Nketiah, 25, completed a move south of the river to the Eagles in a deal worth £25million plus £5m in add-ons.
The deal ended a more than decade-long association between Nketiah and Arsenal, whom he joined in 2014 from the Chelsea academy.
Taking to Instagram, he shared an emotional post paying homage to his time at the Emirates.
It included a collection of photos that featured pictures from his time at the Emirates and one of him as a boy in an Arsenal shirt with the O2 logo, used by the club between 2002 and 2006.
The post said: “Thank you @arsenal
“As I say goodbye, I want to take this time to say thank you to everyone at the club, from my team-mates to all the wonderful staff who have been a part of my journey and have made this place home for so many years.
“Working my way up from Hale End to the first team was a dream come true.
“It taught me what it means to play for the club and what a privilege it is to wear the shirt. I never took it for granted and gave my all every time I stepped on the pitch.
“From scoring my first senior goal against Norwich in 2017, to making over 100 appearances for Arsenal, I have made memories here I shall carry with me for the rest of my life.
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“I’m grateful to have felt your support and I’ll cherish the memories we have made. Thank you Gooners. Eddie.”
He made his senior debut in 2017, going on to score 38 goals in 168 games and lifted the FA Cup and two Community Shield titles.
But when Nketiah, originally from Lewisham, returned to south London, he was met with a familiar face.
A video shared on Crystal Palace’s social media showed Nketiah embracing in a hug with a Crystal Palace employee who was stunned to see him there.
In the video, the woman – who appeared to be a family friend – can be heard saying: “This is one of my babies… I used to change his nappies.”
She later said how she was “so proud” of him for joining Palace after she had been at the club for 30 years.
Meanwhile Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “We are so grateful to Eddie for his performances with us.
“He is a player who has developed well through our Academy and now he takes this opportunity with Crystal Palace.
“Eddie is a top professional, loved by everyone at the club, who wanted and needed to play more minutes.
“We wish Eddie well as he moves onto his next challenge.”
Nketiah was not the only academy player allowed to leave Arsenal during the window, with Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson both departing for Fulham, though the latter was on loan.
Aaron Ramsdale also joined Southampton for a deal potentially worth up to £25m.
Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling was brought in on loan from Chelsea.
ARSENAL made sure to keep pace with Manchester City as they bagged a late 2-0 win against bogey team Aston Villa.
Timely goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey helped Mikel Arteta maintain a 100 per cent start to the season.
But they owed a lot to keeper David Raya who somehow denied Ollie Watkins at 0-0.
Here is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners stars…
DAVID RAYA – 9/10
Other than watching Watkins’ shot dribble wide, a fairly quiet first half before a smart save to halt Rogers’ flick across goal.
He then pulled off an unbelievable stop on the line to deny a Watkins header, getting up off the floor after a deflected shot smacked the bar and bounced out.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Showed his quality in the opening few minutes to break Villa’s tricky block before leaving Onana in a heap with a hefty body check.
Likely to keep this starting spot ahead of Zinchenko.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 9
Immense. Watkins barely had a sniff up against him. Arsenal’s difference-maker in these tight, nervy games.
In a rare instance, lost his temper with McGinn in the first half, but regained his composure and was a rock at the back.
Made a late lung-busting run back to block a late counter and celebrated like it was a goal.
GABRIEL – 5
Very lucky not to hand Villa the lead. Stripped on the edge of his box claiming a foul but thankful to see Watkins somehow drag his effort wide.
Picked up a needless yellow in the second half for wild challenge on Onana. One of his poorer games in an Arsenal shirt with mistakes that should have been punished.
BEN WHITE – 7
Solid as ever, needing to be alert with Villa lethal on the counter, covering superbly.
In pure White fashion, started a melee after smacking a ball into McGinn for doing the same to Saliba, with an expressionless look on his face throughout.
THOMAS PARTEY – 8
Brilliantly stopped several early Villa counters and showed good physicality in his entertaining battle against McGinn.
Looked leggy late on but kept on by Arteta, and rewarded his manager with a rare goal.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Drove forward more with Partey sitting deeper. Lovely pass in behind for Havertz which should have been finished off.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
Kept things ticking with some cute passes in the Villa final third and threw around plenty of tackles in the middle of the pitch.
Played in Saka in the 64th minute but the winger opted not to shoot, but three minutes later teed up Saka again to provide for Trossard.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 5
Had an early chance to break free down the left but his delivery into Saka was under hit.
Was just as lacklustre after the break and lucky to stay on for as long as he did, coming off in the 65th minute.
BUKAYO SAKA – 8
Looked to have put Arsenal ahead after 15 minutes but for a wonderful Martinez fingertip save.
Through on goal in the second half, he wrongly chose to try and round the Villa keeper and made a mess of his finish.
But, all that matters are his assists for Trossard and Partey – his persistence paid off.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
Unlucky not to find the net from a scrappy corner, hitting the bar with a toe poke. Wasteful in Villa’s box with two great chances squandered.
Worked hard, but not as clinical as he has been.
SUBS:
LEANDRO TROSSARD (MARTINELLI, 65) – 9
Almost gave Villa the lead within seconds of coming on, losing Ezri Konsa at a free-kick with a volley looping just wide.
But then, he pops up in the other box and instinctively curls in a beautiful finish.
Played his part in Partey’s strike too with a perfect run in behind.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI (TIMBER, 80) – 6
Premier League debut for the Italian. Got in the good books of Arsenal fans by winding up Martinez almost instantly.
REISS NELSON (SAKA, 87) – N/A
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