Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained why he decided to start youngster Eddie Nketiah as the central striker over Gabriel Martinelli against West Ham. The Spaniard had a huge decision to make in that role specifically, with Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus set for months on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury in the World Cup.
Jesus has been a key figure in the team since joining from Manchester City in the summer, with his goals scored not quite as important as his involvement in all phases with quality. When asked about the time out for the striker, Arteta told reporters: "We know that he [Jesus] needed some intervention in the knee and we have to take day by day, week by week and see where that takes us.
"What it affects is who we are as a team because he gives us so much. What we can do after that when we know the timescale better and we have when we can have him back we will look at the options and try to make the right decisions."
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Plenty of options are available for the Spaniard in his squad, with Nketiah touted as the main option due to his natural role being a centre-forward. However, Martinelli has also been rumoured as a potential starter there too, with the Brazilian's ability matching that of Jesus.
When it came to the decision for the West Ham game though, Arteta put his faith in Nketiah and kept Martinelli on the left flank. Explaining the decision to Amazon Prime, he said: "We have thought about it [playing Martinelli up front], but unfortunately as well we have Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson [missing], so we are lacking wingers at the moment.
"Making one change probably is better than making two or three. So let's keep everybody needed at strength, Eddie's [Nketiah] been doing really well with us and he needs that opportunity."
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