Suggestions that Arsenal have somehow been fortunate with injuries this season can easily be refuted by simply looking at the Gunners’ striker situation. Not only was Gabriel Jesus missing for the best part of half the season, having only returned for his first Premier League start last weekend, but Eddie Nketiah who stood in for the Brazilian suffered a serious ankle injury before Jesus was ready to return.
Arsenal, however, used smart recruitment in January to cover themselves and Leandro Trossard stepped in when necessary to cover both players. Nketiah however is hoping to return to help Arsenal with their Premier League title chase.
When Jesus was out injured after the World Cup, Nketiah scored key goals against West Ham, Brighton and Manchester United that have continued to keep the gap sizeable between the Gunners and Manchester City. However, with the forward now back out on the grass and hoping to return in the coming weeks, his starting spot has well and truly gone.
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Nketiah has arguably fallen to third-choice centre-forward in his absence with both Jesus and Trossard available. The Belgian has offered a far similar stylistic approach to the role that his Brazilian teammate offered when fully fit.
The collaboration, quick feet and goal threat combined to see Trossard score a critical goal against Brentford and record seven assists which Mikel Arteta might have foreseen in the 'wild dreams' he described post-Leeds United. Nketiah, meanwhile, is different to the other two, performing in a more traditional number nine approach, looking to be a poacher in the box and finish off chances rather than bring his colleagues into play.
It is perhaps a drawback of his game that has led to question marks over his future - on-loan forward Folarin Balogun has 17 goals in Ligue 1 and an additional three assists too. The 20-goal contributions have blown Nketiah's tally out of the water and the club has a big decision to make in the summer.
However, until then, Nketiah will return with all the focus on the title. What he has not been to do besides in his final fixture before his injury, the 4-0 win over Everton, is contribute from the bench.
Nketiah made 12 substitute appearances before the World Cup but was unable to contribute with a goal or an assist. Hopefully, his run in the side after Jesus' surgery has allowed him to grow in confidence and develop his game so that when called upon he can come in to influence the matches remaining in the campaign.
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