Arsenal icon Paul Merson now believes Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah are both ‘weakening’ Mikel Arteta’s squad if they replace Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.
The Magic Man believes Trossard and Nketiah are both ‘good players’. But Merson does not feel either forward offers Arsenal close to what Martinelli and Jesus can offer in their attack. So, Arteta has to weaken his roster whenever the coach wants to rest his Brazilian dynamos.
Trossard provides Arteta with a versatile option, having played from either side and through the centre of Arsenal’s attack. The 29-year-old has even dropped into the Gunners’ midfield this season. He has occupied one of the three central spots in place of Kai Havertz at times.
Trossard and Nketiah have given cover for Martinelli and Jesus
Nketiah, meanwhile, is the only other out-and-out striker in Arsenal’s first-team squad beside Jesus. But the 24-year-old often wastes chances to score when he comes in to replace the 26-year-old. Not that Jesus is enjoying a prolific campaign at Emirates Stadium this season.
Both, Nketiah and Jesus, have only scored six goals through 22 and 17 appearances each so far this season. Nketiah has offered five of his haul through 15 Premier League games, while Jesus has four in five Champions League ties. They also have three assists each this season.
Their efforts further reflect as a goal every 165.4 minutes in the Premier League for Nketiah and one every 334 for Jesus. While in the Champions League, the England international has one goal every 117 minutes and the 64-cap Selecao star has struck home once every 80.75.
Trossard has even scored as many goals this term as Nketiah and Jesus in all competitions. The Belgium winger has fired home six times through 19 games with a hit rate of once every 175.6 Premier League minutes and 154 Champions League minutes. He also has two assists.
Merson feels Arteta’s back-up options are ‘weakening’ Arsenal
Now, Merson tells Sky Sports that Arteta is ‘weakening’ Arsenal when Nketiah and Trossard step in for Jesus and Martinelli. The Spaniard has had to rely on Nketiah at times this season after losing his star striker to a knee injury that required surgery and a later hamstring injury.
“While they do have good players in Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah replacing the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, you feel like they are weakening the team,” he said.
Arteta trusted Trossard with replacing Martinelli at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League this Tuesday after the Brazilian fell unwell. But the 22-year-old has recovered and is available for Arsenal’s Premier League game at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.
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