Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has revealed his motivation for his brace against Chelsea was fuelled by being released by his old club as a youth player.
Nketiah was the difference maker on Wednesday night as his two goals helped propel the Gunners to a 4-2 win at their bitter London rivals in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old was on Chelsea's books for seven years from 2008 until 2015 before he was released and snapped up by Arsenal's academy.
And the England Under-21 international came back to haunt the Blues on Wednesday with a display that has bolstered Arsenal's hopes of securing a top-four finish.
'I think it makes that bit more special, I was here up until U14s and then got let go so you always have that chip on your shoulder to come and prove yourself,' he told Sky Sports after scoring twice at Stamford Bridge.
'But today isn't about me, it is good I got two goals, but it is about the team and bouncing back.'
The win in west London means Mikel Arteta's side remain fifth in the Premier League table - but level on 57 points with Tottenham. Spurs are only ahead of them on goal difference with six games remaining of the season.
And Nketiah believes they can take the momentum from their win over Chelsea into the rest of the campaign.
'I think it gives us confidence, we've all stuck together through the difficult times. We've showed that we can bounce back from setbacks.
'Today is a great result, it is always nice winning a derby and we're just looking to push on and hopefully keep getting three points to climb up the table.'
Nketiah's performance earned plaudits from Arteta who conceded he hasn't given the wantaway striker the minutes he deserves this term.
'What Eddie has done tonight is because of what he has done for the last 10 months and no-one has noticed,' the Spaniard said.
'I said to him I haven't been fair. I should have been playing him more.
'We have other issues as well and that has not been easy.
'But he deserved completely what happened to him tonight.'
Wiebdikop
0
Another Cobham product keep up the good work Nketiah , the only player we regret letting go of is Declan Rice,
what about the bruyne
Wiebdikop
0
Another Cobham product keep up the good work Nketiah , the only player we regret letting go of is Declan Rice,
What about the Brunner!!
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
FoΓ΄l do you even listen to what you say?
πππ€£π€£π€£You couldn't wait to use those words against me ππ€£π€£ Hope you now at peace
Capeioru
0
Com to Liverpool Boy you aren't going to win trophy in Arsenal Liverpool is good place for player like you
Why go to Liverpool to sit on bench? Jota is already warming bench these days and he is a great player and finisher.
Womabcdnpr
0
πππ€£π€£π€£Prove yourself and then what? Mason Mount, Reece James, Challobah, Hudson odoi got Uefa champions league medals π and Uefa super cup medals π as well as FIFA club world cup medals π something your Arsenal know nothing about! Nketia or whatever his name is he's not better than Armando Broja so he had to be released! Chelsea keep only assets not liabilities
Nketia is way better
Andy_Mac
0
Callum Hudson odoi is the most talented of his generation in academy. listen Callum Hudson odoi broke into Chelsea fc XI long time ago so I really find your question strange
Talent alone isn't everything. If he could match the mentality of Mason Mount, Reece James or even Ruben Loftus-Cheek, he'd be a top player by now
lord_henry-14
1
Callum Hudson odoi is the most talented of his generation in academy. listen Callum Hudson odoi broke into Chelsea fc XI long time ago so I really find your question strange
FoΓ΄l do you even listen to what you say?
lord_henry-14
1
Manchester city have never won Uefa champions league Arsenal have never won Uefa champions league so I'm not surprised their fans will laugh at Champions league winners
You have not won fvking half amount of pl as we won.You won less fa Cup.Uefa champions league is not the only trophy.
Kukbknpt
0
Another Cobham product keep up the good work Nketiah , the only player we regret letting go of is Declan Rice,
ChelseaFC_Addict
1
ππ€£π€£π€£ Goodluck with qualifying for Top4
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
Is Callum Hudson-Odoi an asset or a liability?
Callum Hudson odoi is the most talented of his generation in academy. listen Callum Hudson odoi broke into Chelsea fc XI long time ago so I really find your question strange
ChelseaFC_Addict
1
Lol, Let's all laugh at Chelsea Fan's π€£ππππππππ
Manchester city have never won Uefa champions league Arsenal have never won Uefa champions league so I'm not surprised their fans will laugh at Champions league winners
Tejiripe4
0
Com to Liverpool Boy you aren't going to win trophy in Arsenal Liverpool is good place for player like you
Hunadlnrst
2
Andy_Mac
0
πππ€£π€£π€£Prove yourself and then what? Mason Mount, Reece James, Challobah, Hudson odoi got Uefa champions league medals π and Uefa super cup medals π as well as FIFA club world cup medals π something your Arsenal know nothing about! Nketia or whatever his name is he's not better than Armando Broja so he had to be released! Chelsea keep only assets not liabilities
Is Callum Hudson-Odoi an asset or a liability?
lipcelopty
1
πππ€£π€£π€£Prove yourself and then what? Mason Mount, Reece James, Challobah, Hudson odoi got Uefa champions league medals π and Uefa super cup medals π as well as FIFA club world cup medals π something your Arsenal know nothing about! Nketia or whatever his name is he's not better than Armando Broja so he had to be released! Chelsea keep only assets not liabilities
All this bitterness for what! It doesn't change tonight's results!
Yusbdepryz
0
πππ€£π€£π€£Prove yourself and then what? Mason Mount, Reece James, Challobah, Hudson odoi got Uefa champions league medals π and Uefa super cup medals π as well as FIFA club world cup medals π something your Arsenal know nothing about! Nketia or whatever his name is he's not better than Armando Broja so he had to be released! Chelsea keep only assets not liabilities
Lol, Let's all laugh at Chelsea Fan's π€£ππππππππ
Yusbdepryz
1
πππ€£π€£π€£Prove yourself and then what? Mason Mount, Reece James, Challobah, Hudson odoi got Uefa champions league medals π and Uefa super cup medals π as well as FIFA club world cup medals π something your Arsenal know nothing about! Nketia or whatever his name is he's not better than Armando Broja so he had to be released! Chelsea keep only assets not liabilities
π€£π Keep crying ππ€£ And where are your so called James and Mount ?
Dudacdens
2
πππ€£π€£π€£Prove yourself and then what? Mason Mount, Reece James, Challobah, Hudson odoi got Uefa champions league medals π and Uefa super cup medals π as well as FIFA club world cup medals π something your Arsenal know nothing about! Nketia or whatever his name is he's not better than Armando Broja so he had to be released! Chelsea keep only assets not liabilities
Zuoabeikm
1
πππ€£π€£π€£Prove yourself and then what? Mason Mount, Reece James, Challobah, Hudson odoi got Uefa champions league medals π and Uefa super cup medals π as well as FIFA club world cup medals π something your Arsenal know nothing about! Nketia or whatever his name is he's not better than Armando Broja so he had to be released! Chelsea keep only assets not liabilities
Liability has now turned to asset
Mikel89
3
he played so well
Keudiklst
2
arsenal true to champions
AlhajiAdamu30
0
Farm league prem
Cadiz is coming
Ziwbdmpsy
3
πππ€£π€£π€£Prove yourself and then what? Mason Mount, Reece James, Challobah, Hudson odoi got Uefa champions league medals π and Uefa super cup medals π as well as FIFA club world cup medals π something your Arsenal know nothing about! Nketia or whatever his name is he's not better than Armando Broja so he had to be released! Chelsea keep only assets not liabilities
stop being bitter
Fasbilmop
2
Chelsea is a total disgrace
Gunners4everβ€
0
Farm league prem
Why
ChelseaFC_Addict
6
πππ€£π€£π€£Prove yourself and then what? Mason Mount, Reece James, Challobah, Hudson odoi got Uefa champions league medals π and Uefa super cup medals π as well as FIFA club world cup medals π something your Arsenal know nothing about! Nketia or whatever his name is he's not better than Armando Broja so he had to be released! Chelsea keep only assets not liabilities
poudklpu
1
Farm league prem
Cry more
zaueiklpsz
2
Farm league prem
u need help
421Z2I
4
Farm league prem