'I feel a little bit sad for him' - Ex-Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah receives sympathy from Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner after disappointing first season at Selhurst Park

Nketiah's performances have been far from convincing ever since he moved to Crystal Palace from Arsenal last summer. The English forward has appeared in 24 matches for the Eagles in the Premier League in the 2024-25 campaign, where he scored just one goal thus far and has started in only seven games.

Despite Nketiah's poor form, Palace boss Glasner came to his defence as he sympathised with the striker. He also hinted that the 25-year-old could make it to the starting lineup against his former employers on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, the Austrian said: "It’s not time to sum up Eddie’s season now, but he’s so hard-working. Sometimes I feel a little bit sad for him, personally, when I see all his effort. For example, Newcastle he comes on when we’re 5-0 down. It’s the worst situation you can have as a player. I had this once in my career and I didn’t really like it. He had two or three chances. At the end he could score and then he slipped.

"It looks like, sometimes, things don’t go well for him. But I spoke to him afterwards, because I see him every day working. And there will come a day when he gets paid for all his effort. For me personally, it feels like they didn’t come now until now."

He added: "We still have some great games to play, and maybe this day when he gets the payback for all his effort, will come soon. I expect both teams entering the pitch to want to win the game. We expect they will play with their strongest team; they have six days [in between Wednesday and] their Champions League semi-final. We will play with the best available team tomorrow as well."

After facing the Gunners in midweek in the Premier League, Crystal Palace will then prepare to take on Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.