This archive report was first published on 22 December 2021.
On a day when London was declared a 'major incident' due to the spiralling coronavirus infection numbers, Arsenal's 22-year-old striker Eddie Nketiah reminded potential suitors of his goal-scoring prowess with a hat-trick in their 5-1 win over Sunderland on December 22, 2021.
Nketiah's performance was part of a much-changed Arsenal lineup, with manager Mikel Arteta making nine changes from the side that thrashed Leeds 4-1 in their previous match.
Despite the changes, Arsenal dominated the match, with Nketiah opening the scoring on 17 minutes after Rob Holding's header was parried by Sunderland goalkeeper Lee Burge.
Nicolas Pepe, who has been dropped down the pecking order this season, took his chance to shine, exchanging passes with Cedric Soares before seeing his strike deflected past the helpless Burge.
Nathan Broadhead pulled a goal back for League One Sunderland before half-time, but Nketiah quickly restored Arsenal's two-goal advantage five minutes into the second half.
Nketiah completed his hat-trick in impressive fashion soon afterwards, backheeling Pepe's cross beyond Burge.
Arteta then handed the highly-rated Charlie Patino his debut 10 minutes from time, and the 18-year-old rounded off the scoring when he slotted home another Pepe pass.
