With Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka already sidelined, the Gunners boss has been handed another significant setback. German forward - and the North London club’s top scorer for the campaign - Kai Havertz could also be ruled out.
The ex-Chelsea forward has picked up a hamstring injury during a warm weather training camp. As it stands, there has been no further information released about the problem but it could potentially see him out for this weekend’s trip to Leicester.
And that would leave Arteta with some thinking to do when it comes to assembling an attack. Here are a few options he could potentially consider:
Raheem Sterling central
There’s no getting around it, Raheem Sterling’s loan spell in North London has been a disaster so far. The Chelsea winger has made just nine Premier League appearances and has just a solitary assist to his name.
But he might be tasked with becoming Arsenal’s starting striker should the rest of Arteta's current options remain sidelined. There is no doubt that Sterling is a talented goalscorer given his stunning record with former club Manchester City.
The majority of those goals however came on the wing, with Sterling only tasked with leading the line on rare occasions. It would be a bold call from Arteta, but might be one that he is forced into.
Trossard as a false nine
Another wideman who could be moved central is Belgian winger Leandro Trossard. And he has actually played the role on a few more occasions for the Gunners.
Trossard has played centrally in a host of games, but would likely be more of a false nine rather than an out-and-out striker. But his lack of goal threat could potentially count against him.
Trossard has only scored five goals in all competitions this term, that coming after he hit the back of the net on 16 occasions last season. Given Gabriel Martinelli could be ruled out, Arteta may prefer to station the former Brighton man on the wing instead.
Martinelli returns
On the topic of Martinelli, Arteta will certainly be hoping that he is fit enough to return if Havertz isn’t. The Brazilian forward picked up a hamstring issue against Newcastle and has undergone further testing.
Arteta said: "Yes, he [Martinelli] felt something. I think it was his hamstring and he wasn't comfortable to continue so we'll have to do an MRI scan tomorrow to see the extent of the injury."
A bit like his team-mates, Martinelli hasn’t quite found the net as much as he should have done, with just seven goals to his name this term. But there’s no doubt that he can certainly finish as he has evidenced throughout the majority of his Arsenal career.
Nwaneri further forward
In what would be somewhat of a surprise move, Arteta could potentially plump for one of the Gunners’ breakout stars this season - Ethan Nwaneri. Naturally an attacking midfielder, the 17-year-old has already shown his eye for goal this term.
The youngster has seven goals to his name across what has been an eye-catching campaign, while he has scored two of those in his last three Premier League appearances. Meanwhile, Nwaneri has also been a threat for the England u19s this season with four goals in just six games.
It could potentially be too early to put the responsibility of him being Arsenal’s leading forward but he certainly has the threat to make it work.
An U23 star
Should Arteta want a more natural striker to lead the line over the coming weeks, he might consider dipping Arsenal’s youth ranks. And there are a couple of talented forwards in their under-23 team.
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Khayon Edwards have 15 goals between them this term having led the line. The former has actually made his Arsenal debut already having made a Champions League cameo this season.
0 Comments