‘He’s a fantastic player’: Eddie Nketiah says one Arsenal teammate has made him a better player

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Eddie Nketiah says the ‘fantastic’ Gabriel Jesus has made him a better player as they push one another in Arsenal training.

The Hale-End star has been called up by England for the first time and he shared that the competition between himself and Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal is ‘friendly’, as he told his press conference.

With Jesus out injured and then returning from the treatment room, it has been Eddie Nketiah who has been leading the line for Mikel Arteta’s side – Ian Wright has spoken about how Nketiah has ‘bulked up.

Nketiah has scored two goals from his four Premier League games, but his partner in crime did come off the bench and score a brilliant goal against Manchester United on Sunday.

It will be interesting to see who Arteta starts now that he has his two number 9s fit and ready.

After the international break, it’s a dreaded trip to Goodison Park for Arsenal, in recent seasons, it has proven to be a very difficult place for the London club to visit, but other than Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber, it’s a healthy squad of players to pick from.

Nketiah v Jesus

On if Jesus has made him a better player: “Yes, of course. I think Gab is a fantastic player,” said Nketiah. “A great guy off the pitch. We get on really well.

“It’s nice to be competing with someone of that standard. It’s only going to do good things for myself and him. We both know that we both want to do the same thing, which is to help the team, contribute and score goals.

“I think, naturally, we push each other in training. We push each other in games. We are competing. It’s a healthy and friendly competition.

“We know, sometimes we are going to play together, sometimes I might play and sometimes he might play. But we have that good relationship that we always support each other. We want the same thing, which is to help Arsenal, so I am sure it will be a great season for the both of us.”

Jesus is still the main man for Arsenal

A lot has faith has been put in Nketiah by Arsenal, including handing the 24-year-old a new contract.

But it’s obvious that when the duo are fit, it’s Jesus who is the first option simply because he is far better at making the whole team click.

In terms of finishing, Nketiah would probably claim that he is better, but in terms of link-up play, carrying the ball and opening up spaces for his teammates, Jesus is the one who holds those cards.