Ex-Arsenal striker scores brace on friendly debut for Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has praised Eddie Nketiah ahead of his competitive debut for the club, revealing the striker has already scored a brace in a friendly.

Eddie Nketiah after signing for Crystal Palace (Photo via CPFC.co.uk)

Former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah joined Crystal Palace in a permanent transfer on deadline day this summer, but the move happened too late for him to play any part in their final game before the international break.

In a way, that was probably a positive thing for the striker, who has now had a couple of weeks to get up to speed with his new club before his competitive debut.

It certainly seems like his preparations are going well so far, with Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirming that Nketiah scored a brace in a friendly over the break.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Nketiah heads the ball during the first half during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

“Like any other player in the squad, we want that they can express themselves and to show their strengths,” Glasner said in response to a question about Nketiah.

“Eddie [Nketiah] is a very smart player, I could see it from the first training (session). Very good technically, he has a great finish, we had a friendly game in the international break and he scored two goals.

“He has this feeling that maybe you can’t learn as a striker, how to move, where to move, and a great finish.

“I’m really surprised, in a positive way, how hard he’s working in training. He’s always one of those guys who’s running most in a training session, having the highest intensity in his training…I’m happy that he’s here.”

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Eddie Nketiah with Arsenal FC reacting during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Nketiah could get the chance to make his Palace debut against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon, with his new club playing at home at Selhurst Park at 15:00 BST.

The 25-year-old will be keen to make a fast start and to show that he was worth the investment of up to £30m.