Emotional Eddie Nketiah dedicates Arsenal hat-trick to late aunt who passed away as he reveals family were in stands

AN EMOTIONAL Eddie Nketiah has dedicated his hat-trick against Sheffield United to his late auntie.

The striker was in top form as he smashed in three goals in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over the Blades.

GettyEddie Nktiah has dedicated his hat-trick to his late aunt[/caption]

InstagramIt was Nketiah’s first hat-trick in the Premier League[/caption]

The performance meant even more for Nketiah, 24, as he revealed he had not had an “easy” last month after the death of his auntie.

The England international scored the goals in front of his late aunt’s family, who were in the stands for the match.

Nketiah told Match of the Day: “It’s amazing. It’s not been easy – last month, I lost my auntie so I want to dedicate these three goals to her.

“Her family were here watching so it is a really special moment.

The hat-trick was Nketiah’s first in the Premier League and he admitted that not “losing discipline” was a key factor behind his success.

He added: “These games are about patience, not losing discipline. For the first goal, it was a good ball from Dec and a lovely touch and finish from myself.

“The second, I thought it was clean to go but it is never nice when see the purple VAR screen turn up.

“The third was amazing, a great strike and a special moment.”

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Nektiah had the chance to take his tally to four for the afternoon after Fabio Vieira won a penalty late on in the game.

However, the striker unselfishly allowed the Portuguese midfielder the chance to take the spot-kick.

Thankfully, Vieira buried the chance to wrap up the scoring for Mikel Arteta‘s side.

Nketiah said: “My first instinct was to grab the ball and go, but Fabio won it and it was a good moment.

“It’s all about being a team player. it was his time to get a chance and he tucked it away.”

The 5-0 romping of the Blades has seen Arsenal close the gap on league leaders and North London rivals Tottenham to just two points.