Chris Sutton has told BBC Radio 5 Live’s 606 on Sunday that he was worried about Gabriel Jesus being ruled out with injury, but has admitted that Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has proved him wrong – saying Nketiah has been “great”.
Nketiah, 23, has now started Arsenal’s last four Premier League games after Jesus suffered a knee injury. The summer signing has been sidelined since the World Cup. Many were of the opinion that Arsenal needed to sign a striker.
But Nketiah has been excellent. He scored in his first two Premier League starts of the season against Brighton and West Ham – the first two starts of his run of four. Against Newcastle and now Tottenham, Nketiah has been excellent.
Even without scoring on Sunday, his hold-up play was superb. He got the better of Eric Dier, time after time. Helping Arsenal get up the pitch. It gave the likes of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli the space needed.
Sutton says that he was worried about Jesus being sidelined. But he admits to holding his hands up and getting it wrong, claiming Nketiah coming into the side has made little difference compared to Jesus. Nketiah has been “great”.
“I tell you what I thought would be an issue for Arsenal, that is Gabriel Jesus. It hasn’t made that much of a difference – I thought it would be an issue him being out. I hold my hands up, I got it wrong. Nketiah has been absolutely great.”
Sutton admits Arsenal striker Nketiah has proved him wrong
He has been excellent up top for the Gunners this season, since coming in for Jesus. Not just his couple of goals, but his ability to contribute to play, to hold it up and bring in Arsenal’s attacking midfielders. That is just as important.
Of course, Arsenal could do with another player up top. It is unlikely that Jesus will be back for a number of weeks. With the Gunners in the Europa League, another forward is ideal. But they do have options – going forward.
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