Sports
Eddie Nketiah Prepared for Crystal Palace Debut
Eddie Nketiah is set to make his debut for Crystal Palace, having recently signed from Arsenal. The young striker returns to South London to bolster the squad under the guidance of manager Oliver Glasner.
During his time at Arsenal, Nketiah made 168 appearances and scored 38 goals. As he dons the famous No. 9 shirt for the Eagles, he aims to make his mark in the club’s rich history of centre-forwards.
The former wearer of the No. 9 shirt previously demonstrated dedication to Crystal Palace, featuring in 212 matches over six seasons. His contributions were highlighted during the 2018/19 season when he earned the club’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards.
Noteworthy was his remarkable goal against West Ham United on Boxing Day 2019, where he executed a dazzling pirouette before scoring. In the 2022/23 campaign, he was an essential part of the squad, contributing 23 goals and 22 assists before moving to Leicester City.
Another celebrated No. 9 was the club’s all-time leading scorer, smashing in 114 goals during his career with the club. As a member of Steve Coppell’s squad, he played a crucial role, helping the team reach the FA Cup final and secure a third-place finish, which remains a club best.
In the club’s modern history, one of the most significant goals was scored by a former player from the penalty spot in the 2012/13 play-off final. This pivotal strike propelled Crystal Palace back into the Premier League after overcoming a challenging phase.
Now serving as the club’s sporting director, a former player is well aware of the expectations that come with wearing the No. 9 shirt, as he netted 74 times during his second spell at the club. He stands sixth on the all-time scoring list with a combined total of 108 goals for Crystal Palace.
In the 1994/95 season, another prominent striker wore the No. 9 shirt, scoring 18 goals as the club returned to the top-flight after winning the Second Division title in 1994. His success paved the way for a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur, where he spent seven years.
