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Football London
Football London
Sport
Matthew Holt

Mikel Arteta's Gabriel Jesus injury update could hand big Leeds chance to Arsenal star

Arsenal could be reliant on the goals of Eddie Nketiah this weekend, with Gabriel Jesus a doubt for the Gunners' trip to Elland Road.

Opting to rest the Brazilian against Bodo/Glimt in midweek, Mikel Arteta is said to be assessing the fitness of Jesus after struggling with an injury he sustained in the side's victory over Liverpool last week. Nketiah remained at the club amid questions over his future this summer and has largely been used as a substitute thus far.

Given Arsenal's strong start to both their European and domestic campaigns, the team's squad depth has often been brought into question should injuries begin to tot up. Oleksandr Zinchenko has missed the last two games and Arteta will hope to have both players fit this weekend.

READ MORE: Kevin De Bruyne delivers major Mikel Arteta verdict amid Arsenal Premier League title challenge

Nketiah did net twice against Leeds in the Gunners' 2-1 win last season and will hope to continue his rich run of form against the side where he spent time on loan once again. With Jesus hitting the ground running following his move from Manchester City, Arteta provided an update earlier this week with his fitness not known ahead of Sunday's showdown at Elland Road.

"I don’t know,'' began the Spaniard earlier this week. ''Obviously he had some discomfort after the game against Liverpool. That’s why we decided not to bring him [to face Bodo/Glimt]. Let’s see how he is [closer to the game]."

Nketiah found the net 10 times in all competitions last season and was often used a third striker behind Alexander Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. With just Jesus ahead of him in the pecking order, this weekend could provide the England Under-21s star a huge chance to stake a claim in the team's starting XI moving forward.

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