Arsenal set to flop West Ham without 'irreplaceable' star as pundit questions title credentials

Chris Sutton believes Arsenal will struggle without Gabriel Jesus and has advised the Premier League leaders to draw at home to West Ham on Boxing Day.

The Gunners have lost just once in the top flight this season and are five points clear of defending champions Manchester City.

They face a huge test over the next few months, however, with summer rookie Gabriel Jesus ruled out for about three months with a knee injury.

Eddie Nketiah will likely replace Jesus and start against the Hammers on Monday.

There are some concerns about Nketiah's ability to fill the role, although people seemed to forget about his form towards the end of last season.

He kept captain Alexandre Lacazette out of the squad and secured a new £100,000-a-week contract this summer.

There is no doubt that Nketiah is not on the same level as Jesus, but he is still a great backup option to have.

Former Premier League winner Sutton believes we will see what Arsenal are made of in the coming weeks with the absence of 'irreplaceable' Jesus.

The expert actually predicted a 1-1 draw at the Emirates between the two London clubs.

Sutton wrote in his BBC predictions column: "Arsenal are five points clear at the top of the table, but we'll find out in the coming weeks if they're really in contention for the title. isn't it?

"The break probably came at the worst possible time for them, because of the form they were in, and there is no more important player they could have lost to injury than Gabriel Jesus.< /p>

"People might point out his lack of goals ahead of the World Cup, but Jesus is an integral part of them in the way they press and with his link-up play.

"He is irreplaceable, certainly within their team, so the severity of his injury will probably decide whether they try to make January signings.

"I feel like I've backed West Ham to be better than they have been many times this season, but the one thing they should be here is tough to beat."

Sutton isn't the only pundit to say Jesus' absence could have a detrimental effect on Arsenal's title push, with Paul Merson going so far as to say they'll finish outside the top four if Mikel Arteta does not bring a new striker in January.

The Gunners have been linked with PSV Eindhoven talisman Cody Gakpo, although he seems certain to join Manchester United.

Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhaylo Mudryk is another target and is seen as the top priority for North Londoners.

However, the Ukrainian is a natural winger and doesn't offer much of a solution with Jesus, even if it gives Arteta the chance to play Gabriel Martinelli in the middle.

Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City for £45million in the summer transfer window and has scored five goals and assisted seven in 20 appearances in all competitions.

The Gunners' only Premier League defeat this season came against Manchester United at Old Trafford in September.

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