Eddie Nketiah has hailed Gabriel Jesus' impressive start to life at Arsenal - but admits that he has grown frustrated over his own lack of first-team opportunities.
Nketiah had been tipped to leave the Gunners at the end of his previous contract in the summer, but he penned a new five-year deal to stay at the club after breaking into Mikel Arteta's plans at the end of last season, where he plundered five league goals in seven games.
However, the summer capture of Jesus, who arrived from Manchester City in a £45million deal, has restricted Nketiah's first-team chances in the opening weeks of the campaign. The 23-year-old has featured in all nine of Arsenal's fixtures this season, but he has yet to start a single match in the Premier League.
Jesus has made an instant impact at the Emirates Stadium and has already notched five goals and three assists for his new club. And while that has left Nketiah with a reduced role in recent weeks, the Arsenal man heaped praise on his new teammate ahead of Thursday night's Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt.
“He’s [Jesus] a great player," said Nketiah on Wednesday evening. "He’s good to play alongside and watch. He’s had a really good start and he’s a great guy off the pitch so I’m really happy for him.
“I don’t really see it as me versus him, it’s about whatever’s best for the team. There will be times when we play together. We’ve shown that we can play together. The times we played in pre-season and I played with him, we showed that we can combine. We’re both fluid strikers that like to move around. He’s had a good start and hopefully, it continues for the team.”
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Nketiah's sole start so far this season has come in the Europa League, where he bagged a goal and an assist in the 2-1 win over FC Zurich last month.
The Hale End graduate is likely to lead the line again ahead of Jesus against Bodo/Glimt. But while Nketiah agrees that Jesus deserves all the plaudits coming his way, he insisted that he is ready to step up and secure more first-team action.
Nketiah added: “My aim is to be starting and helping the team, but I respect the coach’s decision. It’s down to me to keep working hard and putting in the performances. It’s a long season and we’re only a month in. There will be a lot of opportunities for me to play, whether that be in Europe or in the league, and I’ll be ready whenever I’m called upon.
“When you play for any big club there is always going to be competition, I’m not shy of that. I’m happy to be part of a team that is doing well and will keep pushing hard to show that I deserve more minutes.”
