Arsenal legend Ian Wright has now told Eddie Nketiah that he has to be ‘ruthless’ to keep Gabriel Jesus out of Mikel Arteta’s side and ease fears if the Brazilian is absent.
The Gunners started the term without Jesus as the 26-year-old required a minor operation on his knee. It was also on the same knee that he had injured at the World Cup and required surgery on. But, unlike the initial operation, it did not sideline the attacker for three months.
Jesus only missed the Community Shield and the opening two Premier League games, which Arsenal won. Nketiah also led Arteta’s line against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. Yet Leandro Trossard took the starting role against Fulham before Nketiah came on at the break.
Wright tells Nketiah how to stake his claim at Arsenal
Arteta now faces a decision over Nketiah starting again ahead of Arsenal hosting Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Jesus put himself in a prime position to start the north London derby by impressing in the Champions League. He got his first start this term against PSV Eindhoven.
Jesus had to settle for a slow return as Nketiah returned to start against Manchester United and Everton. But he has been snapping at the England international’s heels by scoring from the bench against the Red Devils. Nketiah had struggled to show he was likely to hit the net.
Arteta was still reluctant to start Jesus when Arsenal visited Everton but has a real dilemma on his hands now. Jesus was among the shining lights of the Gunners’ dominant win against PSV on Wednesday. Wright also claims the Brazilian takes Arsenal to a higher level when fit.
Wright believes Jesus takes Arsenal to a higher level
Fitness has been the only thing to truly hold Jesus back since he arrived at Emirates Stadium from Manchester City. He fit like a glove with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. So, Wright feels fans are ‘worried’ if Jesus is unavailable as he will always start over Nketiah for Arsenal.
“If I’m Eddie and I’m in Eddie’s shoes I make sure that when I’m on there, whatever half chance I get, I take it and I’m ruthless with it,” Wright stated on his podcast.
“Because if this guy is fit, he must play. He brings it to another place. I’m not saying this as a knock to Eddie. But he has to do something like that so people aren’t so worried when Jesus isn’t around. Jesus is an entity on his own with the way he’s playing.
“His work rate, his finishing, everything he does: that is his main strength. Eddie’s is taking chances. He could’ve had a couple more at the start of the season to put him into that and he has to do that. If Jesus continues like he is there is no conversation, he’s so good.”
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