Arsenal’s ahead choices have taken a one other hit after Kai Havertz was dominated out for probably the rest of the season with a hamstring damage.
The German ahead’s damage leaves Arsenal and not using a recognised striker of their ranks for the following month a minimum of, with fellow No9 Gabriel Jesus additionally unable to play once more this season and Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka’s accidents additional depleting their ahead line.
Information of the damage, suffered whereas coaching in Dubai, might be explicit dagger to Mikel Arteta and the remainder of the Gunners hierarchy after making an attempt and failing to signal a striker through the January switch window.
So who will Arteta flip to in assault as Arsenal proceed their pursuit of Liverpool within the Premier League title race?
Kai Havertz (hamstring – out for the season)Bukayo Saka (hamstring – again in March at earliest)Gabriel Jesus (ACL – out for the season)Gabriel Martinelli (hamstring – out for over a month)Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee – second surgical procedure being thought of)Ben White (knee – set to return quickly)
Arsenal’s failed striker pursuit
It’s straightforward to see why Arsenal had been so determined to land a striker in January. Jesus, their solely ‘pure’ No9 after Eddie Nketiah’s departure final summer time, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament damage, leaving Havertz as their man choice up entrance.
The 25-year-old has by no means totally gained over supporters as a central striker, having scored a gradual 9 Premier League targets this season however there was the sensation during the last two seasons that Arsenal had been eager so as to add a extra pure goalscorer to their ranks.
The Gunners made a late try and land Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins through the late phases of the window, which was rapidly rebuffed by their Premier League rivals.
Arteta and Co opted in opposition to a panic purchase and determined to work with what that they had within the constructing, however now the worst-case state of affairs has occurred, leaving them extraordinarily quick up entrance.
How will Arsenal line up after Havertz damage?
Kai Havertz is reportedly out for the remainder of the season.
Arsenal are working out of attacking choices 😬 pic.twitter.com/dTOlXeIVnR
— B/R Soccer (@brfootball) February 12, 2025
Not solely do Arsenal don’t have any strikers to select from of their squad, they’ll barely identify any attackers, both.
With Martinelli not too long ago becoming a member of Saka on the absentee record till a minimum of March, Arsenal’s solely senior choices are Leandro Trossard, Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri.
Any three might play up entrance in opposition to Leicester on Saturday, with Trossard most likely probably the most skilled in that position out of the three having not too long ago featured there in opposition to Girona.
Nwaneri has been named as a possible long-term No9 however the 17-year-old has impressed probably the most out broad this season.
Sterling is not any stranger to central position throughout his earlier time with Manchester Metropolis and with 123 Premier League targets to his identify, appears a powerful choice on paper.
However the 30-year-old has not proven his finest kind since his swap to North London from Chelsea and is behind Nwaneri within the pecking order on the proper facet.
May any kids resolve Arsenal’s ahead disaster?
Tuesday coaching ✅
📸 The perfect from one other day of graft in Dubai ⬇️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 11, 2025
Nwaneri and Myles Lewis Skelly have each turn into regulars in Arsenal’s group this season regardless of their tender ages, so are there any extra Hale Finish skills who’re prepared to resolve their striker disaster?
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji has been in positive kind for Arsenal’s Beneath-23s facet this season, scoring seven occasions and offering six assists. The 22-year-old was linked with exit door in January however might now discover himself slotting into Arsenal’s ahead line.
Another choice is Khayon Edwards, who’s extra of a pure striker than Butler-Oyedeji. The 21-year-old endured a tough spell with Leyton Orient final season, scoring no targets in seven appearances however has managed seven targets within the PL2 this time period.
In the event that they wished to throw one other 17-year-old into the highlight, Andre Harriman-Annous is being hailed as the following gem to make a splash within the first group. He has scored six targets and two assists within the U18s Premier League and in addition common options for the U21s. However, in fact, the senior group could be a severe step up.
May anybody else play up entrance?
Havertz is extra of a midfielder or winger by commerce earlier than shifting to central striker below Arteta, so might the Spanish boss do one thing related with one other member of the squad.
That is the place Mikel Merino comes into the equation. The midfielder was signed from Actual Sociedad for £60million final summer time however hasn’t fairly discovered his place within the Gunners beginning XI to date.
A extra imposing determine than the likes of Trossard, Sterling or Nwaneri, whereas maybe possessing the urgent depth that Arteta appears for from Havertz, the Spaniard might lastly get a run within the group as a shock striker.
It definitely wouldn’t be perfect, however Arteta is determined and it might transform a stroke of genius if he’s a hit there.