By Noel Whelan

28th Jan, 2023 | 1:59pm

Arsenal have new Gabriel Jesus 'problem' after expert's 'massive' injury update - pundit

Noel Whelan has insisted Eddie Nketiah should keep his place in the Arsenal lineup even when Gabriel Jesus returns from injury.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed having the two forwards fit and firing will be a “great problem to have” for manager Mikel Arteta.

Nketiah has scored six goals in seven games across all competitions since coming into the Arsenal attack to replace Jesus in December.

Summer signing Jesus had scored five goals in 14 Premier League appearances prior to the injury.

As per Football Insider medical expert Ben Dinnery (27 January), the Brazil international is making “amazing” progress with his recovery and could return to the pitch in early March.

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League – five points ahead of rivals Man City.

When asked if Nketiah has earned the right to stay in the Gunners side, Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Absolutely.

“This is exactly the problem Arteta wanted. This is why he kept Nketiah at the club.

“They let Aubameyang go, let Lacazette go – but he’s saved the club a lot of money.

“They’ve kept a really good, young, promising striker around – and that decision is paying dividends.

“Jesus is going to have to fight for his place. He might be the big name, but Nketiah has done everything he was asked to do.

“He deserves to be the first choice in that striker role now. It’s a great problem to have for Arteta.

“This is exactly what he needs at this point in the season. It’ll be massive to have Jesus back.”

In other news, Arteta facing “special punishment” after what pundit has seen at Arsenal.