Eddie Nketiah replaces Gabriel Jesus after the Brazilian’s knee injury (Photo: Getty)

Danny Murphy has backed Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah to beat Gabriel Jesus this season.

Jesus joined Manchester City for £45 million this summer and has scored five goals in 14 Premier League games.

But the 25-year-old Brazil international suffered a knee injury during the World Cup in Qatar and is not expected to return until around February 28.

Nketiah has since taken his place in the side, scoring twice in his first three Premier League games since the Premier League resumed.

These recorded wins against West Ham and Brighton respectively, before the Gunners – who sit at the top of the league – drew 0-0 against Newcastle on Tuesday.

Former Liverpool midfielder Murphy is backing Nketiah to add more goals to his tally and believes the 23-year-old will overtake Jesus to become Arsenal’s top goalscorer this season.

“I like him,” Murphy told talkSPORT. “Well Jesus before he left he didn’t score in 11. and [Nketiah has] started three and scored two.

“Well, maybe he’s not giving you the other things that Jesus gives you. But I think he would score more goals in this Arsenal team because they create chances. And his connection isn’t bad.’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta branded recently academy graduate Nketiah a “key player” and claimed he was “more confident”. [him] every day’.

The Spaniard said: “I have more confidence in Eddie every day because every day we see what he brings to the team, what he is as a person, how he develops as a player.”

“He’s ready, that’s why he signed his contract. He’s an important player in our team.”

The Gunners return to action on Monday when they face League One side Oxford United in the FA Cup third round.

Their next Premier League game is on January 15, when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby.