Darren Bent has told Gabriel Jesus that he may struggle to return to the Arsenal line-up because of Eddie Nketiah’s form.
THE LOWDOWN: LEADING THE LINE
Arteta signed Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City in the summer and he became Arsenal’s first-choice striker with Eddie Nketiah as back-up. While Jesus has impressed in the Premier League more, the 23-year-old has been trusted with the goalscoring duties in the cup competitions.
Following Jesus’ injury at the World Cup, Nketiah became Arsenal’s number one and has now been doing well in the Brazilian’s absence. He marked his first Premier League start of the season with a goal in Arsenal’s 3-1 comeback win against West Ham on Boxing day.
He also scored in the win at Brighton before adding a brace to help Arsenal beat Oxford United in the FA Cup.
THE LATEST: PUNDIT’S WARNING
Darren Bent has told Gabriel Jesus that he may struggle to get back into the Arsenal starting XI because of Eddie Nketiah’s goalscoring form.
Arsenal are not sure when Jesus will be back but the news of his absence came as a huge blow to the Gunners’ hopes. However, Nketiah has done well to deliver the goods in Jesus’ absence.
Meanwhile, Bent feels Nketiah would start ahead of the Brazilian if both forwards were fit for this Sunday’s north London derby.
“Oh, Eddie has to start, 100 per cent,” Bent told talkSPORT.
“It depends because if Eddie keeps scoring goals and Arsenal maintain where they are, then Jesus is going to have to get himself back into the team.”
“I think the rush maybe isn’t as imminent as it was,” Bent continued.
“I think when Gabriel Jesus got injured, people were like: ‘Panic stations. What are we going to do? Arsenal are going to fall off’.
“He’s just gone, ‘you know what, hold on a second’. And fair play to Arteta, as well, by the way because he’s gone, ‘you know what, you’re my number nine’.”
THE VERDICT: NOT THAT EASY
Jesus brings a whole lot more to Arsenal’s attack than Nketiah. Besides, they both have contrasting qualities, Jesus is considered to be a workaholic and tends to free up spaces for wingers (Saka and Martinelli), while Nketiah is more of a finisher.
Arteta will most likely pick Jesus for what he does and creates for the team even when things are not going their way.