After the Brazilian striker sustained a serious knee injury at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has named Eddie Nketiah to step up for the Gunners and replace first-choice striker Gabriel Jesus.
Recall that on Tuesday, Arsenal announced that Jesus had successfully recovered from the knee injury that prevented him from competing for Brazil in the World Cup in Qatar.
During Brazil's final group match against Cameroon, Jesus suffered a right knee injury.
And Xhaka admitted that Jesus’ injury is a "shame" for his teammates, and Arsenal believes Nketiah, 23, can step up in the former Manchester City star’s absence.
“I spoke with him [Jesus] straight after the Cameroon game,” Xhaka said of Jesus at a press conference.
“It is a shame because you saw in the first round of the Premier League how important he is for us. I don’t know how big the injury is—maybe two or three months, I think. But he’s a strong guy.”
On Arsenal’s plans to replace Jesus, Xhaka added: “We have the option with Eddie, of course." He showed great games as well in the past, and we need to support Gabi first.
“We need to support Eddie as well because he’ll be a big, big part of the next two or three months."
“But I’m looking forward to it because we have the quality to bring Eddie there and to help him.”
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