Eddie Nketiah was handed a rare start for Arsenal in their Carabao Cup clash with Sunderland on Tuesday evening and the striker took his chance within minutes.
The 22-year-old forward has now continued his record of scoring in every Carabao Cup match he has played in this season - after finding the back of the net in previous rounds against AFC Wimbledon and Leeds United.
Nketiah was on hand to tap the ball home from close range to hand the Gunners the lead against the League One side in north London, scoring his third goal of the season in the process.
Speaking before the game, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson spoke about Nketiah's ability in front of goal and urged the striker to sign a new contract at the Emirates, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the season.
Asked what Nketiah can offer by Sky Sports, Merson replied: "Goals. The lad never lets you down. He comes into the team and knows he’s not going to play against Nowrich on Boxing Day.
"But, he’ll still turn up tonight and put in a performance. That’s what I like about him. He’s hungry and there’s talk that he doesn’t want to sign the contract. Which I can understand as he wants to play.
"He’s at Arsenal, an unbelievable football club, you’re young and have time so be patient. He’s a great finisher, goalscorer and has good pace.
"If I was his agent I would be signing again. I left Arsenal, it’s different. This is an unbelievable football club. You only realise when you leave."
Arsenal have been in negotiations with Nketiah over an extension on his current contract, but Sky Sports reported earlier in the month that the Englishman has turned down the chance to lengthen his stay in north London.
Speaking in October, Arteta tipped Nketiah to become a "top, top player".
Arteta said: "We had a situation in the summer that we tried to resolve and we couldn't either way. That is the contract situation that is more and more common in football for where we are coming from with Covid and a lot of the issues that we have to resolve.
“I have full belief that he is going to be a top, top player and hopefully at Arsenal. I'm happy to have him, he is our player, I regard him really highly and from my side I want him to stay.”
