Pundit says Arsenal have a more ‘natural’ replacement for Jesus than Nketiah

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Adrian Clarke has deemed Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard the “more natural back-up” to Gabriel Jesus.

The Gunners-leaning pundit, writer and broadcaster said this on The Athletic’s Handbrake Off podcast.

Arsenal have been without Jesus for the past three weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta initially named Eddie Nketiah as his centre-forward, and he shone with a hat-trick against Sheffield United.

Nketiah also made the starting XI for Arsenal against West Ham and Newcastle, after which Arteta opted for Trossard.

The Belgium international scored against both Sevilla and Burnley, taking his season tally to six goals – plus two assists – from 14 outings.

Clarke believes that Trossard, much like Oleksandr Zinchenko, knits things together for Arsenal.

“Trossard’s similar… I think he’s actually the more natural back-up to Gabriel Jesus,” he said.

“He roams free and takes defenders with him creates space for others in the way Jesus does.”

Trossard now probably ahead of Nketiah in Arsenal pecking order – TBR View

After what we’ve seen over the last few weeks, you certainly can’t argue that Trossard has moved ahead of Nketiah in the pecking order.

Not only has the 28-year-old provided a good scoring return, but he’s also creative and is good in terms of set-piece delivery.

Trossard is also great at finding space dragging defenders out of position, while his tendency to drift left allows Gabriel Martinelli to move centrally, another asset.

Obviously Nketiah is a superb talent too, but if Arsenal struggle to get the ball over to him and he isn’t presented with chances, things get a little difficult.

Meanwhile, Trossard is a more versatile and flexible forward, and he seems better suited to finding space, helping unlock tight opposition defences, and bring the likes of Martinelli and Bukayo Saka into the game.