Darren Bent suggests why Eddie Nketiah is the choice over Gabriel Jesus. If both were healthy, former England striker Darren Bent claimed he would choose Eddie Nketiah over Gabriel Jesus to lead Arsenal’s attack against Tottenham Hotspur.
Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal’s first-choice striker, is now sidelined due to a knee injury sustained during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. Nketiah, though, has done an admirable job of filling the vacuum left by the former Manchester City attacker.
Bent, a former Tottenham Hotspur player, and Arsenal supporter said on talkSPORT that he would choose Nketiah over Jesus even if the latter was available because of the former’s ability to score goals. Eddie must begin, without a doubt. It depends; if Eddie continues to score goals and Arsenal stays where they are, Jesus will have to reclaim his spot in the squad.
Bent further said, “Looking at what Eddie has accomplished, we saw glimpses last season, If you recall, he scored five goals in the final seven games of the previous season. He scored two goals—against Chelsea, in which he was outstanding—two goals against Leeds and one goal against Everton.”
Bent continued: “The performance against Chelsea was the one that made me think. Oh, wow, maybe he is ready. Again, he has had opportunities this year; he has scored quite a few goals throughout this brief streak, I believe four in his past five.”
Bent also gave manager Mikel Arteta credit for remaining calm and having faith in Nketiah when Jesus was hurt. Bent further said, “I think the rush may not be as immediate as it was. When Gabriel Jesus was hurt, I believe people were asking themselves, Panic stations, what are we going to do? Arsenal will lose its way. You know what, hang on a second, and fair play also to Arteta for saying, You know what, you’re my number nine.”
Jesus has five goals and seven assists in 20 games, compared to Nketiah’s seven goals and one assist in 23 games this season.
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