Granit Xhaka has insisted that Arsenal will throw their support behind Eddie Nketiah - as the Gunners academy graduate will have a "big, big part" to play in the wake of Gabriel Jesus' crushing injury blow.
Jesus has already made a significant impact at the Emirates Stadium since his £45million switch from Manchester City in the summer and has been one of the driving forces behind Arsenal's surprise title bid.
The Gunners headed into the World Cup break five points ahead of City at the summit of the Premier League, having lost just once all season. And although the goals have dried up for Jesus recently, his blistering start to the season saw him amass five goals and six assists to fire Arsenal up the league.
But Arsenal look set to be without their star strike for the next three months after Jesus underwent knee surgery earlier this week after picking up an issue during the World Cup with Brazil. And while Xhaka revealed has already reached out to support Jesus in the wake of his injury, he was also quick to talk up Nketiah, who is now poised to deputise for the Brazilian.
"I spoke with him [Jesus] straight after the Cameroon game," Xhaka told reporters on Tuesday. "We have contact with each other, with all the players we have here in the World Cup. It’s 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 is a strong guy.
"It’s a small injury for him I think, and we will support him. He knows that we are behind him and hopefully we can get him back as quick as possible."
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Nketiah had been a peripheral figure at the Emirates but impressed during the closing stages of last season following Pierre Emerick Aubameyang's shock departure.
The 23-year-old plundered five goals in seven league games to earn a new, improved contract to remain at the Emirates in the summer. However, he has struggled for regular minutes this term behind Jesus and has featured mostly in cup competitions.
Jesus' injury is likely to change that, though - and the Gunners academy graduate has been tipped to shine by Xhaka.
He 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 will be a big, big part of the next two or three months. But I am looking forward to it because we have the quality to bring Eddie there and to help him."
