TRANSFER CALL
Why does Eddie Nketiah mime a ‘phone call’ when celebrating goals for Arsenal?
The Arsenal striker has broken the record of a very popular England legend
ARSENAL striker Eddie Nketiah likes to celebrate every goal with a phone call.
There could be many transfer calls on the cards for Eddie as Arsenal anticipate a "bidding war" for their record-breaking striker. But who is he and why does he mime a phone call when he scores?
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Who is Eddie Nketiah?
Edward Nketiah is an English professional Premier League footballer.
Born on May 30, 1999, to Ghanaian parentsm Eddie grew up in Lewisham, South East London.
The young striker was scouted by Chelsea at the age of nine while playing for Hillyfielders, a south-east London Sunday team.
Nketiah joined the Arsenal Academy in 2016 after leaving Chelsea the previous year.
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On September 28, 2017, Nketiah was called up to the first team for Arsenal's UEFA Europa League match against BATE Borisov.
In January 2019, he was set for a loan move to Bundesliga club FC Augsburg transfer window, but due to an injury to Danny Welbeck, Nketiah stayed at Arsenal.
In January 2019, he reportedly turned down a call up from the Ghana national team, with Nketiah opting to play for England instead.
He went on to captain the England under-21s for the first time in September 2020, scoring a memorable hat-trick during a 6–0 victory over Kosovo that year and again in 2023 with Arsenal in a 5-0 win over Sheffield United.
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Why does Eddie Nketiah mime a ‘phone call’ when he scores a goal?
Some players, like Jude Bellingham, use hand gestures to join in with the crowd's excitement after scoring.
Others perform somersaults.
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For Nketiah it's his signature "phone call".
His goal celebration sees him mime making a call after he accurately connects the call with the back of the net.
The striker first performed the routine after scoring in the Gunners’ 3-2 win over Everton in February 2020.
Revealing the meaning behind his goal jubilation Eddie told Arsenal: "It's just a little phone call!
"In pre-season, Arsenal Media came up with a little thing 'call me if you need a goal' so I have kind of just stuck with it.
"A lot of my friends like it so they are eager for me to dial them up if I get on the scoresheet so I try to enjoy each goal, whether that is youth level, in the park, anywhere I always try to celebrate and enjoy it and it is always a blessing to score."
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How many goals has Eddie Nketiah scored for Arsenal?
The Arsenal academy graduate has scored a total of 46 goals for his team since his football career began with the youth squad in 2016.
The hat-trick hero broke Alan Shearer's goal scoring record of 13 for the under-21s in 2017 - finishing with 16 goals from 17 appearances at that level.
In January 2023, Nketiah was belatedly recognised for his achievement in becoming England U21 record goal scorer and was presented a commemorative golden boot.
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He played 27 games for Arsenal in the 2023/2024 season with five goals and two assists.
However, this could be his last season with Arsenal as other Premier League rivals bid him.
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