‘I like him’: Danny Murphy claims 23-year-old will be more prolific for Arsenal than Gabriel Jesus
Danny Murphy has told talkSPORT (broadcast on 4/1; 11:26) that he believes that Eddie Nketiah will score more goals than Gabriel Jesus in the current Arsenal team, as he suggested that he can shoulder the responsibility of leading the line for the Premier League leaders.
Nketiah is facing a potentially crucial period in his Gunners career. The 23-year-old has been an understudy throughout his time in the first-team at the Emirates.
But with Jesus suffering a serious injury at the World Cup, Nketiah now has an opportunity to enjoy a run in the team.
Murphy backs Nketiah to outscore Gabriel Jesus
He has started brilliantly, scoring in Arsenal’s first two games after the World Cup break. But with the January transfer window open, and Arsenal failing to score against Newcastle on Tuesday, some fans will be hoping that the club go out and sign another attacker.
However, Murphy has defended Nketiah. In fact, he has backed the academy graduate to find the back of the net more often than Jesus would.
“I like him,” he told talkSPORT. “Well, Jesus, before he went away didn’t score in 11. And he’s started three and scored two. Now, he might not give you the other things Jesus gives you. But I think he’d score more goals in this Arsenal team, because they make chances. And his link-up’s not bad.”
Nketiah was incredibly unlucky to not score against the Magpies too. He had a brilliant chance and forced Nick Pope into an outstanding save during the second-half.
He is taking his chance to impress. Nketiah appears to have taken his game to another level over the last year. And he now looks like a player who could lead the line in the Premier League.
It would be a huge statement to be more prolific than Jesus. The Brazilian was doing absolutely everything except score frequently during the first-half of the season.
You would imagine that he will regain his place once he is back fit. But if Nketiah boasts a better strike-rate by the time Jesus is back available, the Englishman will have certainly left Mikel Arteta with something to think about.
Given how good Jesus has been, that would be a remarkable achievement.
