Former England striker Gabby Agbonlahor claims that Eddie Nketiah must now prove that he deserves his new contract in order to take Gabriel Jesus' place when domestic play begins.

The Brazilian player for the Gunners will be sidelined for a number of weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee as a result of an injury sustained during Brazil's World Cup group stage encounter against Cameroon.

Nketiah has struggled to hit top form for Arsenal, making 12 league appearances and is yet to find the back of the net.

"Eddie Nketiah has got to step up now. He’s getting paid £100,000-a-week. He’s got to repay that faith by banging in the goals until Jesus is back," Agbonlahor told Football Insider.

"Arsenal shouldn’t have given him that money if he wasn’t good enough to step up and be their main striker if needed.

Nketiah has made 19 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal this season, scored three goals and provided one assists.