Nketiah came into the starting line-up in place of Gabriel Jesus, who injured a hamstring in the midweek Champions League win against Sevilla, and took his opportunity with both hands.
He was alert to Rice’s pass, taking a brilliant touch to wrongfoot Auston Trusty and fire home.
Foderingham flapped at a corner from Bukayo Saka, and Nketiah pounced to slam in a half-volley from close range.
The confidence on display from Nketiah seemed to increase with each finish, culminating in a superb third.
A layoff from Emile Smith Rowe, making his first start of the season, gave Nketiah time and space to blast into the top corner. With less than an hour played, the match ball had been secured.
“It’s amazing. It’s not been easy—last month I lost my aunt, so I want to dedicate these three goals to her. Her family was here watching, so it is a really special moment,” Nketiah told BBC Match of the Day.
Eddie let Vieira take the penalty, sacrificing the chance to become only the third Arsenal player to score four goals in a Premier League match after Andrey Arshavin and Thierry Henry.
“My first instinct was to grab the ball and go, but Fabio won it, and it was a good moment. It’s all about being a team player. It was his time to get a chance, and he tucked it away,” added Eddie.
Saka was captain in Martin Odegaard’s absence, and when he was substituted, he passed the armband to Nketiah, who captained Arsenal for the first time.
Jesus could only applaud in the stands as he watched Eddie put in an accomplished display.
