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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was unsure why Chelsea released Eddie Nketiah in his early youth career after he made a match-defining impact for the Gunners on Tuesday night.
The teenager was plying his trade in the youth academy of the Premier League champions before he was released in 2015 due to concerns of being 'too lightweight.'
Nketiah has since progressed to become a top player in the Gunners' development squad, and Wenger was delighted to reap the rewards in the League Cup game against Norwich City last night.
Arsenal were trailing 1-0 to Norwich City going into the dying minutes of normal time, but Nketiah managed to level the scores - netting just 15 seconds after his substitute appearance.
The youngster went on to notch another sublime header from the far post in the 96th minute of the game, and this assured the Gunners of 2-1 victory in extra-time.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Wenger was surprised that Chelsea released Nketiah in the first place, but was delighted with his impact as the Gunners progressed to the quarter-final stage of the competition.
He said: "I don’t know why Chelsea decided to let him go. You see that more and more these days. Young people going from one club to another.
"I felt I was happy for him and the team. We lacked ideas and clear-cut chances. I was impressed by Norwich in defence.
"I know that he can score goals and that he has character. He is not afraid. He can give and go, and once a player has that in his game, they have a chance."
Arsenal will now shift their focus to the Premier League where they take on Paul Clement's Swansea City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Written by Sri Aswin
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