Nketiah Optimistic About Forming Strong Partnership With Jesus

Arsenal have flexed their financial muscles in the transfer market this summer, with Jesus headlining a string of arrivals that includes Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and lately Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Nketiah is set to jostle with Jesus for the right to lead Arsenal's attack, but the former England u-21 international is adamant the two can play together in the same side.

Nketiah has scored once and assisted another in Arsenal's three pre-season games so far while Jesus has already struck three times in as many matches.

"I think we can play together, and I think we’ve shown that," he said. "Obviously, he’s a great player and it’s nice to play with him.

"Naturally with the kind of strikers we are, we’ve been able to combine quickly. It’s also good that we have a common celebration. I’m enjoying playing with him and hopefully we can continue to link up.

"Obviously, I like to play in the middle but I can play on the left as well and enjoy that. I’m just happy to be on the pitch in areas where I know I can be a threat and be dangerous. When 'Gabby' came on in the second half it was good to link up with him."

Nketiah has been handed Arsenal's iconic number 14 jersey after signing a new five-year contract over the summer. He was set to become a free agent but a strong end to last season which saw him score five times in Arsenal's final seven matches saw him remain in North London.

"I wanted to wait until the end of the season and of course I had a lot of offers," Nketiah said. "I sat down with my team and with the manager and my family and we felt like Arsenal was the best place.

"When you get down to that stage of your contract you’re obviously going to have options and I sat down with my agent and family to go through them all.

"But Arsenal is a great club for me. I support the club and it’s a great project to be part of. I hope I can contribute to that in the future."