Former striker Kevin Campbell insists Gabriel Jesus must start against Everton on Sunday, despite the impressive early-season form of Eddie Nketiah.
Jesus was dealing with a knee problem over the but is fit again, coming off the bench in the last two games, scoring in the win over last time out.
While the Brazilian was recovering, Nketiah started three of the four league games, scoring twice and impressing enough to earn his first call-up to the senior squad.
However, Campbell thinks Jesus needs to be thrown straight back into the starting XI after the international break at Goodison Park on Sunday, with Nketiah set to miss out.
‘He’s had his injury, he’s come back and he’s made a difference,’ Campbell told The Gooners of Jesus. ‘Against , I think Gabriel Jesus if he’s fit, I think he has to start because he makes that much of a difference for us at the top end of the pitch.’
Despite a call for a return of the Brazil international, Campbell has also called on Jesus to step up, after scoring 11 league goals last season.
‘We do need more goals from him, we need 20 goals from Gabriel Jesus this season,’ said Campbell, who scored 59 goals during his stint with the Gunners.
‘We also need [Bukayo] Saka to hit the heights, [Gabriel] Martinelli to hit the heights, to hit the heights, we need to hit some form as well.’
Jesus came off the bench in Brazil’s comfortable 5-1 win over Bolivia in World Cup qualifying on Saturday, and will hope to play again when they take on Peru in their next outing on Tuesday night.
Nketiah did not win his first England cap in the draw with Ukraine at the weekend but will expect to get a run out at Scotland in the friendly on Tuesday.
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