Nketiah has three goals in cup competitions this season (Picture: Getty)
Eddie Nketiah insists he is ready to step up and fill the void up front at Arsenal following Gabriel Jesus’ injury blow.
The Gunners suffered a major blow last week with summer signing Jesus forced to undergo knee surgery. The Brazil international is expected to be sidelined for up to three months.
Arsenal will resume their season top of the Premier League but needing a new focal point to their attack and while the club could seek to bring in another option in the January transfer window, Nketiah is waiting in the ranks.
The 23-year-old is still to start a league game this term proved his worth when called upon last season, scoring five times in the final seven games of the campaign.
‘I have been working hard, I’ve been working hard all season and I’m sure when I get the opportunity I’ll be able to come in and help the team,’ Nketiah said, insisting the entire squad are behind Jesus in his bid to return to fitness.
‘I spoke to him [Jesus] and wished him a speedy recovery. It is never nice to see anyone miss a World Cup and also for us as a team he is a big player, we are going to miss him. We are all behind him.’
Arsenal are competing in the Dubai Champions Cup ahead of the return of the Premier League.
Arteta hoping Nketiah can step up (Picture: Getty)
The Gunners have beaten Watford and Lyon in warm-up games and on Thursday take on AC Milan on December 13 and then Juventus four days later.
‘It is good to be back,’ Nketiah said. ‘Two games for us so far and two goals which is nice. We’ve done a nice bit of training and these games are a good test.“We had really good momentum going before the World Cup.
‘You can look at the break in two ways, it could be time for us to improve and get even stronger.
‘It would have been nice to keep it going but everyone here looks sharp and refreshed and the boys who have gone to the World Cup are doing well.
‘When they join us we’ll come together and I’m sure we’ll kick on again and get even better.
‘The mentality here has been top from the beginning. The manager has instilled that in us and all the boys have belief and work hard every day. It is good to be in a great position, we’re hungry to do well.
‘Each win brings more confidence. If we keep going and working hard the way we have over the first half of the season it will do us well for the second half of the season.’
MORE : Mesut Ozil sends message to Bukayo Saka after Arsenal star shines in England defeat
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Gabriel Jesus is facing three months on the sidelines.
