‘Massive problems’: Paul Merson sounds warning to Arteta about £45m Arsenal star

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Paul Merson has warned Mikel Arteta that Arsenal will have ‘massive problems’ if Gabriel Jesus gets injured, as he told Sportskeeda.

After Alexandre Lacazette left Arsenal in the summer, Arteta was quick to knock on the door of his former club and secure the talents of Jesus from Manchester City.

It was a real coup from the former midfielder because he managed to lure a player from the Premier League champions, playing Champions League football, to drop down to a team in the Europa League.

Added with that, the Gunners didn’t pay an overinflated price for the 25-year-old, in comparison to the market, with £45 million being put on the table for the Brazil international (BBC Sport).

Well, after all the hype, including an outstanding pre-season, Jesus is winning the crowd and he is already a key part of Arteta’s plans as they sit top of the Premier League table.

Hale-End academy star, Eddie Nketiah, is the man behind Jesus, but Merson thinks it’s a ‘different ball game’ if the Englishman has to come into the XI on a regular basis.

“If Gabriel Jesus gets injured, they have massive problems,” said Merson. “Eddie Nketiah is a good lad, but playing and scoring every week is a different ball game.

“I don’t want to say too much, but Arsenal are in a good position to secure a top-four finish and I hope they can make it count this time.”

NKETIAH SHOULD BE TRUSTED

The 23-year-old has been crying out for regular minutes and starts for a long while, and in truth, when they have come, he has looked the part.

This season, with the added competition ahead of him, he has looked far better and there are improvements to his game, so he should be trusted.

The key thing here is that the former Leeds loanee is hungry to perform and showcase that he belongs, and whilst Jesus is a better footballer, it doesn’t mean that Nketiah can’t do it when he has to step up.

A player can only prove his worth by playing on a regular basis, not by being in and out of the side and then having the label that he’s not good enough.