Darren Bent shares who he’d pick to start for Arsenal… Gabriel Martinelli or Darwin Nunez

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Darwin Nunez has never been too far from the headlines ever since joining Liverpool in 2022.

Bought for a massive sum from Benfica, a lot had been expected of the Uruguayan. In the 18 months since, Darwin has blown hot and cold, sometimes at the same time.

Now though, Liverpool’s No.9 is starting to really find his feet. Two goals against Bournemouth last Sunday mean he’s now hit 10 goals and 10 assists across all competitions for the Reds this term. Still, Nunez is often talked down. The latest to do that is TalkSPORT pundit Darren Bent. In fairness to Bent, he initially gives a glowing assessment of the big striker.

“He’s one of them players that I know defenders would hate to play against,” said the former England striker. “He never gives up, he runs hard, he’s quicker than you think. Strong, good in the air. In-front of goal the decision making at times is a little bit rogue. But I like him. I think you’d rather have him in your team than not.”

But asked by co-host Andy Goldstein whether Bent – an Arsenal fan – would start Nunez for the Gunners, he was far less sure.

“No, I’d rather have Martinelli and Saka over him,” Bent claimed. “Either Nunez or Jesus, I don’t know. Who’s a better player? Darwin’s not been prolific since he was at Liverpool. I’d have Jota over Jesus. But Darwin, I don’t think he’s clinical enough to warrant going, ‘we need him instead of…'”

Bent leaves Nunez out

Obviously, supporters of one club will usually favour their player over one playing for another. But the statistics weigh heavily in Nunez’s favour here.

Along with the Liverpool man, Martinelli was another to bag himself a brace last weekend.

But while Nunez’s two goals put him in double figures for the season, Arsenal’s Brazilian winger now has just six goals in all competitions.

In terms of assists, Martinelli has just three. These obviously aren’t the only metrics worth measuring, but they’re the decisive ones.

Even if you look at Saka, Arsenal’s golden boy right now, Nunez stacks up incredibly well. Their number of goal contributions is actually identical. However, the Liverpool forward has one goal more, Saka one assist more.

So, perhaps Bent should look a little closer before dismissing Darwin out right here.

And as for Gabriel Jesus, well there’s not really much comparison at all. The former Manchester City man has seven goals and four assists for Arsenal this season. Not even close.

Bent is clearly a fan of Nunez, so we’ll maybe let him off the details on this one. But throw him into Mikel Arteta’s team and we think he’d be the best of them all.