Mikel Arteta has back Eddie Nketiah to take his chance as Gabriel Jesus spends time injured on the sidelines at the Emirates.
Nketiah is set to earn more starting roles at the Emirates as Jesus works his way back to full fitness, which could take up to three months.
The England youth record goal-scorer struggled to play before the World Cup break because Jesus was in form and undoubtedly the club’s first choice.
However, he now has his chance to shine, and Arteta expects him to take it and show the club he is worth relying on.
The Arsenal gaffer said via Metro Sport:
‘Eddie is always ready.
‘He knows that it opens an opportunity for him. He needs to grab it but the way he trains every day and the mentality he has.
‘He gives us no reason not to think he’s going to be super ready to perform.’
Just Arsenal Opinion
Nketiah took his chance at the end of last season, which is why we handed him a new deal to stay beyond the previous term
However, he still has to prove that was the right decision by delivering top-level performances for us now that Jesus is injured.
If he flops, that could force us to find a new striker who will replace him even when Jesus is back to full fitness.
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I must admit , although i’d love Eddie to bang them in , i think it’s getting near time he showed us what most of us think he’s got.
Otherwise it maybe time to head on to the next club for him.
Even a loan may help him get the run he need’s to find himself , not until summer though as i still belive he can show what he’s got here.
Those are just diplomatic words from MA, even if Eddie is ready to perform (not the same as “able” to perform)… he wold still need backup.
So why buy someone to play second fiddle to Eddie? That wouldn’t be much of a player, noty someone you would expect to deliver a league title.
So it seems that everyone at the club must believe that a striker must be the top priority in January.
So far Nketiah has not shown that he is at level of an elite player which is what Arsenal need.
Unfortunately, these types of players are rare and very expensive. It is uncertain whether Arsenal can pay for another top level player.
MA is bound to say that Nketiah is “ready” or something similar.
Surely a top striker must be on the cards, but the gaffer is smart and never one to show his hands and why should he.