Arsenal hero Paul Merson says Eddie Nketiah isn't good enough to replace injured striker Gabriel Jesus.

While Mikel Arteta's side can move eight points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table if they beat West Ham on Boxing Day, Merson thinks they'll struggle to even make the top four without properly replacing the Brazilian.

"It's a massive worry for Arsenal that they're now relying on an out-of-form Eddie Nketiah when the Premier League returns," he wrote in the Daily Star.

"They could go eight points clear if they beat West Ham before Manchester City play a game and you still wouldn't fancy them to win the title without Gabriel Jesus.

"It's hard because even though he doesn't score an awful lot of goals, he is still so effective. If he's out for three months, I'd be shocked if they got in the top four.

"Without being horrible, what Premier League team does Eddie Nketiah get in? Wolves are bottom for instance, they're desperate for a goal and they wouldn't go and get him."

Merson added: "Jesus has just been too influential in the first few months of the season, I just don't see how they get by without him.

"With Arsenal, their depth isn't quite good enough but all their best players have played virtually every game. Now all of a sudden, it's a panic."