Tony Cascarino has stated that Gabriel Jesus will be Arsenal’s ‘number one’ ahead of Eddie Nketiah if he joins from Manchester City this summer.
With Alexandre Lacazette heading back to Lyon, it leaves Nketiah as the senior striker leading the line for the Gunners – the Englishman is expected to sign a new contract at his boyhood club.
That’s why there are strong rumours circulating that Arsenal want to bring Jesus to the Emirates – he worked with Mikel Arteta when he was Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man at the Etihad.
Nonetheless, whether it’s Jesus or somebody else, Arsenal need that number nine to sort out their problems next season in front of goal, it played a part in them missing out on Champions League football this term.
And Cascarino told talkSPORT that he expects Nketiah to improve and provide serious competition to someone like Jesus next season if he signs.
“He (Jesus) will be number one,” said Cascarino. “But the lad (Nketiah) has shown enough and he is still young enough.
“Imagine if Eddie Nketiah improved again? Which I imagine he would. Then, he would become a player that is going to be good enough along the line.
“He’s not ready quite yet. But if you see an improvement this pre-season and going into next year, then he might be even better.
“If Gabriel Jesus comes in and he doesn’t do as well as expected, and then Nketiah gets the opportunity and takes them, then it’s putting pressure. I think it’s a great thing for Arsenal to have.”
JESUS SUITS ARSENAL PERFECTLY
The Brazil star’s ability to play across the front line, drop deep into pockets and link-up play would suit what Arteta wants at Arsenal.
Lacazette did that brilliantly during his time at the club, but he was criticised for his lack of goals.
Well, from the Frenchman’s 158 Premier League games, he scored 54 goals and supplied 30 assists for the Gunners.
In comparison, Jesus, in a more attacking and successful side, scored 58 goals from 159 matches and supplied two more assists than Lacazette.
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