Danny Murphy believes talk of Gabriel Jesus’ injury ending Arsenal’s title hopes is “direspectful to Arteta” and his “fox in the box”.
Jesus is set to miss several months after injuring his knee on international duty for Brazil at the World Cup.
The summer signing from Manchester City has been a key cog for the Gunners this season as they sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
And many believe his absence could see Mikel Arteta’s side fall off the pace in the race for the title.
But Murphy doesn’t reckon Jesus is as vital to Arsenal’s chances as some, and claims it’s “disrespectful” to suggest they will suffer so much without him.
“A lot has been made of the knee injury Gabriel Jesus suffered with Brazil, that might keep him out for a month, but I don’t think the Gunners will crumble, as some suggest,” he told the Daily Mail.
“Jesus has been important in Arsenal’s great run: he’s unselfish; works hard off the ball and sets the tone for the press. But he hasn’t scored in his last 11 games. So I don’t think Arsenal should be fearful of playing without him.
“Eddie Nketiah is a fox in the box and can finish. Arsenal’s next three games against West Ham, Brighton and Newcastle are all winnable without Jesus.
“It’s disrespectful to Arteta, as well as stars such as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and the other Arsenal players, to suggest one injury setback will make it a stroll.”
Asked whether the club will look to sign a striker in January as a result of Jesus’ injury, Arteta responded: “Where it affects us is who we are as a team, because he gives us so much.
“So what we can do after that, when we know a little bit the timescale and when we can have him back, we will look at the options, and try to make the right decision.”
Jesus has scored five goals and assisted five in the Premier League to help move the Gunners top of the table.
Questioned if his squad is strong enough to win the Premier League with Jesus injured, the Spaniard replied: “We have players, we have a lot of accompanying players.
“It’s do we have the players that can give us the performances and the consistency we need to be and maintain and improve from where we are?”
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