Mikel Arteta has been reminded he has the perfect option to come into the Arsenal line-up after Gabriel Jesus suffered an injury which could sideline him for up to a month.
Jesus, 25, suffered a knee injury as Brazil were defeated 1-0 by Cameroon on Friday evening, ruling him out for the remainder of the World Cup in Qatar. It marks a major blow for the Selecao, who are already without the services of talismanic forward Neymar as he battles an ankle issue and illness.
The Gunners also have significant cause for concern, as Jesus could be out of action for up to four weeks. The former Manchester City forward has chipped in with five goals and six assists at club level this season after arriving in a £45million summer transfer from the Etihad Stadium.
Jesus has been a mainstay in Arteta's starting XI and the Spaniard will be wondering how to deal with his absence ahead of the return of Premier League football on Boxing Day. Table-toppers Arsenal take on West Ham, Brighton and Newcastle in quick succession after Christmas but may need to do so without their No.9.
However, there is one cause for festive cheer at Emirates Stadium, as Eddie Nketiah was on target in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford on Saturday afternoon. According to GOAL, the 23-year-old and Marquinhos scored in the first half to give the Gunners a 2-1 lead at half-time.
Arteta replaced his 10 outfield players at half-time with academy prospects from the Under-21s, and Championship side Watford went on to win 4-2. Nketiah's goal serves as a reminder of his quality, which may well be called on if Jesus has not recovered by the time the top flight returns.
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The Arsenal academy graduate was handed a lucrative long-term contract in the summer, as well as the coveted No.14 shirt, and has scored three goals in 19 appearances this season. He has not started a Premier League game this season, so he will have a point to prove if Arteta calls on him.
Speaking after Nketiah extended his contract in June, then-Arsenal technical director Edu, who has since been promoted to the role of sporting director, said the player "has the attitude as well as the ability to become a top player". Despite this glowing endorsement, opportunities have proved hard to come by for Nketiah, given Arteta's reliance on Jesus up front.
But with the former Palmeiras prospect facing a spell in the treatment room with the injury to his right knee, Nketiah has the chance to build on his behind-closed-doors goal and force his way back into starting XI contention at the Emirates.
