Darren Bent reveals why he would start Romelu Lukaku over Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal

Romelu Lukaku would score more goals at the top of the line for Arsenal than first-choice striker Gabriel Jesus.

That’s the opinion of former Tottenham centre-forward Darren Bent, who thinks the Belgium international is a more natural No.9.

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It remains to be seen where Lukaku will play his football next season when he returns to Chelsea after his loan spell at Inter Milan.

Hailed by former boss Roberto Martinez as one of the game’s greatest goalscorers, the 30-year-old has found the back of the net just 14 times in 35 appearances this season.

Still, that’s better than Jesus managed in his opening campaign at the Emirates Stadium, where he scored 11 goals in 33 games in all competitions.

And Arsenal fan Bent insisted he would take Lukaku over Jesus any day of the week.

When Andy Goldstein asked him if he would take Lukaku to Arsenal, Bent replied on Drive: “Yes. Definitely.”

Pressed on whether that would mean unloading Jesus, Bent said, “No, I’m not getting rid of anyone, but I would have it.”

Asked if he would start Lukaku over the Brazilian, the former Sunderland star said: “You know what? He would give us more goals than Gabriel Jesus.

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“What Gabriel Jesus did at Arsenal [this season] was brilliant, but there were times when it frustrated me because it wasn’t enough in the box.

“There were times when the ball went across the box and nobody was there – he’s on the edge of the box. But Lukaku, I know he’s in there.”

Bent then admitted he would try to get them both to work in the starting XI if he could – by shoving Jesus aside – much like what Pep Guardiola did at Manchester City.

He added: “I would potentially start Gabriel Jesus on the left.”

Conceding that would mean Gabriel Martinelli would then be benched, Bent said: “Maybe, one or the other. It’s a team game.

“But I would start Lukaku in the middle on Gabriel Jesus.”