Eddie Nketiah has scored 17 in 24 Arsenal starts since the beginning of last season but still has his naysayers – the Gunners aren’t stuttering in Gabriel Jesus’ absence but need his replacement to convert more openings into goals and assists

It was one for the dons of Oxford to ponder over a post-match pint perhaps: Eddie Nketiah had left the Kassam Stadium on Monday with two goals – as many as Gabriel Jesus managed in 15 appearances between early September and December.

That brace also took Nketiah’s recent tally to five goals in five appearances – as many as Jesus has scored all season.

And yet, the debate goes on: about Nketiah and his ability to fill the hole left by Jesus’ dodgy knee. So, do we have our answer? Or have we been asking the wrong questions all along? Discuss.

The numbers certainly make for interesting reading. Nketiah is now Arsenal’s joint-top scorer on seven goals. 

But none of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard or Gabriel Martinelli can match his strike rate of a goal every 159 minutes. That is nearly twice as prolific as Gabriel Jesus (290). 

What those statistics ignore, of course, is the Brazilian’s true impact since signing from Manchester City. His tenacity, his (six) assists and his ability to drag Arsenal’s entire attack to a new level. What we have learnt in his absence is that Nketiah – a more natural goalscorer – cannot offer all that Jesus does. But he provides plenty that Jesus won’t, too.

As the 23-year-old himself put it himself after the Boxing Day win over West Ham: ‘I’m not trying to replace him and I’m not trying to be him. I can’t do what he does and he can’t do what I do.’ 

And so far, for Arsenal, that is working out just fine. Fears that their title tilt would be derailed without their No 9 have, so far, proved unfounded. Just like earlier concerns about how they would cope if Jesus hit a bad patch in front of goal. Which he did, and they kept on winning. The Brazilian hasn’t scored since Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Tottenham on October 1.

On Sunday, another pivotal north London derby offers Nketiah another chance to underline his quality. If he still has anything to prove.

After all, the 23-year-old’s record since the start of last season reads: 17 goals in 24 starts.

He is England’s all-time top goalscorer at Under-21 level.

And when a run in the side presented itself at the back end of last season, he delivered then, too, netting five goals in eight starts.

Since then, Nketiah has continued to develop. Over the last year or so, hard work in the gym has helped add bulk to his frame. Hard work on the training ground has allowed Nketiah to add more strings to his bow, too. He is now a more complete, athletic, intelligent and versatile forward who trains industriously, who presses well and who proved at Oxford that goalscoring remains his bread and butter.

‘He is a great finisher and the timing of his runs, the decision-making… his understanding, his work-rate is getting better and better,’ Arteta said after the FA Cup victory.

No wonder Arsenal gave Nketiah a new long-term deal in the summer. The striker studied his options before deciding that the chance to develop at Arsenal appealed more than opportunities elsewhere.

Off the pitch, while awaiting his chance, Nketiah has worked hard with coaching staff – at home and through analysis. Arteta has taught him lessons about timing and where to pick up the ball. But nothing builds confidence and rhythm and performance levels like playing regularly.

‘All these little things piece (together) over time and the more you play, the more you can showcase that,’ Nketiah said in October. So he continues to prove.

This season, per 90 minutes, Nketiah averages more shots and touches in the opposition box than any of Harry Kane, Danny Ings, Ivan Toney or Callum Wilson – the Premier League’s top scoring English No 9s. Where he lags behind? Converting those openings into more goals and assists.

Sunday wouldn’t be a bad time to continue closing that gap.