Kevin Campbell calls for Gabriel Jesus to start against Everton

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has called for Gabriel Jesus to start against Everton on Sunday, despite the impressive early-season form of Eddie Nketiah.

Jesus was dealing with a knee problem over the summer but is fit again, coming off the bench in the last two games, scoring in the win over Manchester United 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 England senior squad.

Jesus Must Start Against Everton

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 Podcast of Jesus. ‘Against Everton, 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.’

Jesus Needs To Step Up

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, Martin Odegaard to hit the heights, we need Kai Havertz to hit some form as well.’

Jesus On International Duty

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.

Conclusion

With both Jesus and Nketiah in good form, it will be interesting to see who Mikel Arteta chooses to start against Everton. Jesus has been given the nod by Campbell, but it remains to be seen if Arteta agrees. Either way, it is clear that Arsenal need both players firing on all cylinders if they are to challenge for a top four spot this season.