Arsenal told signing Jesus replacement ‘makes no sense’ with Nketiah backed to ‘step up’
Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has said there is no need for Mikel Arteta to bring in a new striker despite Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury.
The 25-year-old striker has undergone surgery after injuring his knee during Brazil’s final World Cup group game against Cameroon.
Jesus has been an integral part of the Gunners’ success this term. They are currently top of the Premier League and finished first in their Europa League group.
Eddie Nketiah will step up to become Mikel Arteta’s first-choice No. 9 following the Brazilian’s injury.
While Nketiah is a stellar player, he is different to Jesus and definitely not on the same level.
This has left Arsenal fans pondering whether or not the club should delve into the transfer market when the winter window opens next month.
They have been strongly linked with PSV forward Cody Gakpo, with former Gunners midfielder Paul Merson claiming he needs to be signed, even if it costs as much as £100million.
However, the club’s former defender Silvestre has urged Arteta not to sign a new striker, insisting that it doesn’t make any sense to do so.
Silvestre told BettingExpert: “I don’t think it makes any sense to go out and buy a new player.
“I think they should stick with their current squad and I think that Eddie Nketiah has the potential to reach a really high level. He is not completely there yet, but this is his chance to grab the opportunity. He needs to grab this chance and score goals.
“Nketiah is a really good finisher and he is more like a fox in the box than Gabriel Jesus. So, Arsenal also has to adapt their way of playing. He [Jesus] is a key player for Arsenal and is contributing with both goals and assists.
“It is a massive blow for Arsenal that he is injured now because he is so important to their style of playing. He creates space for the other players. But when a player is missing it opens up the opportunity for another player to step up.
“But of course, they will miss him a lot and it’s really not good for Arsenal.”
In fairness, should Arsenal sign a new forward, they may end up being out of favour within a few months.
Unless Arteta can get a good player in on loan or perhaps sign a versatile forward, it might end up being a senseless buy should they bring someone in. This is why Gakpo would be a good addition.
Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix is another player who could be on the move next year, and recent reports have suggested that he can leave on loan with an option to buy.
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