Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has backed Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah to build a strong partnership up front.
Arsenal flexed their muscle on American soil, defeating Orlando City on Wednesday by a 3-1 margin at the Exploria Stadium.
Less than five minutes into the match, Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring after a deft one-two with Albert Sambi Lokonga. His effort took a cruel deflection past Pedro Gallese.
✅ Ipswich
✅ Nurnberg
✅ Everton
✅ Orlando City
Another pre-season win 💪
🟣 1-3 ⚫️ (FT) pic.twitter.com/yA994J7hH0
Just before the half-hour mark, Facundo Torres equalised spectacularly by shouldering off Nuno Tavares, taking a great touch, and slamming a shot from approximately 22 yards out into the bottom corner.
Despite Torres' heroics, Arsenal would win despite Orlando City's defence, as Eddie Nketiah slammed home a shot amid a sea of defenders. Reiss Nelson scored the Gunners' third goal late in the game, ending the contest after Bukayo Saka's excellent pass.
Even as Arsenal await their clash against Chelsea for the Florida Cup this weekend, fans of the north London club have been relishing the strike partnership between new signee Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah. Not just the supporters but manager Mikel Arteta too has backed the duo to lead the team's strike attacks.
Things you love to see 😍
📞 x 📞
"We want to build those relationships, and they haven't played a lot of minutes together yet, the same with Martin (Odegaard) and Gabi (Jesus), for example," the Spaniard said.
"We have to start to do that, we obviously do it in training, but to put it into practice in matches is important, and you can see that they're finding themselves with good timing, and it's important because they are two players with a big goal threat," he added.
Also read: 'How good is he?': Arsenal fans applaud Gabriel Jesus; hope goal-scoring streak continues
Here's how fans reacted to Jesus and Nketiah's partnership, with some even enjoying the famous 'dialling up' celebration of the two strikers.
Jesus and Nketiah dialling it up 📞❤️ pic.twitter.com/klFrIt51o3
— Met. (@AFCMet)Gabriel Jesus, during his first interview after signing for Arsenal, on doing a joint celebration with Nketiah: “I saw he celebrates like me, so I’m happy to celebrate like him as well. I’m so excited to ask him about the history of the celebration, his celebration.” 🤙📞 pic.twitter.com/i98AOKM6mR
— afcstuff (@afcstuff)Nah that Nketiah x Jesus link up brought a tear to my eye, we’re witnessing the start of a special partnership 😮💨
— Bhavs (@bhavss14)This Nketiah touch-line LW is looking a lot better than I thought. Him & Jesus are interchanging positions and combining really well together.
— Matthew (@_halfspaces)These duo is taking arsenal places 😮💨😌 Gabriel Jesus Eddie nketiah Julian Alvarez sterling pic.twitter.com/QtFsyrzMyl
— OKEKEJR HIMSELF (@Okekejr3)Time to make a house call 📞
Eddie Nketiah pots a goal, and everyone hits Gabriel Jesus's signature celebration.
🎥 pic.twitter.com/1PVp9jrtQL
Jesus x Nketiah 📞
Hitting the celebration together for the first time 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/M3iUJHG4Sx
Nketiah & Jesus linking up on one side of the pitch… then you have White, Saliba & Gabriel balling out on the other… this is prime time tv
— Bhavs (@bhavss14)That Eddie Nketiah & Gabriel Jesus joint goal celebration! 📞❤️
— afcstuff (@afcstuff)Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus combo gonna be mad 🔥 ... I love this phone call celebration 😊😊 pic.twitter.com/fFcMywPFCi
— SLY OMO LAMBO👑 🇳🇬 (@Slyman_Lambo)This Nketiah - Gabriel Jesus partnership is absolutely amazing
— Renato (@rehnato)Nketiah and Jesus doing the celebration together!!! Pictures please
We stayed awake for moments like this!
When you've got unlimited free calls.
Nketiah 📞 Jesus! pic.twitter.com/REMuR4mTOY