How will Arsenal line up in attack as German becomes latest absentee after season-ending injury?

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Arsenal’s forward options have taken a another hit after Kai Havertz was ruled out for potentially the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.

The German forward’s injury leaves Arsenal without a recognised striker in their ranks for the next month at least, with fellow No9 Gabriel Jesus also unable to play again this season and Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka’s injuries further depleting their forward line.

News of the injury, suffered while training in Dubai, will be particular dagger to Mikel Arteta and the rest of the Gunners hierarchy after trying and failing to sign a striker during the January transfer window.

So who will Arteta turn to in attack as Arsenal continue their pursuit of Liverpool in the Premier League title race?

  • Kai Havertz (hamstring – out for the season)
  • Bukayo Saka (hamstring – back in March at earliest)
  • Gabriel Jesus (ACL – out for the season)
  • Gabriel Martinelli (hamstring – out for over a month)
  • Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee – second surgery being considered)
  • Ben White (knee – set to return soon)

Arsenal’s failed striker pursuit

It is easy to see why Arsenal were so desperate to land a striker in January. Jesus, their only ‘natural’ No9 after Eddie Nketiah’s departure last summer, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, leaving Havertz as their man option up front.

The 25-year-old has never fully won over supporters as a central striker, having scored a steady nine Premier League goals this season but there has been the feeling over the last two seasons that Arsenal were keen to add a more natural goalscorer to their ranks.

The Gunners made a late attempt to land Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins during the late stages of the window, which was quickly rebuffed by their Premier League rivals.

Arteta and Co opted against a panic buy and decided to work with what they had in the building, but now the worst-case scenario has happened, leaving them extremely short up front.

How will Arsenal line up after Havertz injury?

Not only do Arsenal have no strikers to choose from in their squad, they can barely name any attackers, either.

With Martinelli recently joining Saka on the absentee list until at least March, Arsenal’s only senior options are Leandro Trossard, Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri.

Any three could play up front against Leicester on Saturday, with Trossard probably the most experienced in that role out of the three having recently featured there against Girona.

Nwaneri has been named as a potential long-term No9 but the 17-year-old has impressed the most out wide this season.

Sterling is no stranger to central role during his previous time with Manchester City and with 123 Premier League goals to his name, seems a strong option on paper.

But the 30-year-old has not shown his best form since his switch to North London from Chelsea and is behind Nwaneri in the pecking order on the right side.

Could any youngsters solve Arsenal’s forward crisis?

Nwaneri and Myles Lewis Skelly have both become regulars in Arsenal’s team this season despite their tender ages, so are there any more Hale End talents who are ready to solve their striker crisis?

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji has been in fine form for Arsenal’s Under-23s side this season, scoring seven times and providing six assists. The 22-year-old was linked with exit door in January but could now find himself slotting into Arsenal’s forward line.

Another option is Khayon Edwards, who is more of a natural striker than Butler-Oyedeji. The 21-year-old endured a difficult spell with Leyton Orient last season, scoring no goals in seven appearances but has managed seven goals in the PL2 this term.

If they wanted to throw another 17-year-old into the spotlight, Andre Harriman-Annous is being hailed as the next gem to make a splash in the first team. He has scored six goals and two assists in the U18s Premier League and also regular features for the U21s. But, of course, the senior team would be a serious step up.

Could anyone else play up front?

Havertz is more of a midfielder or winger by trade before moving to central striker under Arteta, so could the Spanish boss do something similar with another member of the squad.

This is where Mikel Merino comes into the equation. The midfielder was signed from Real Sociedad for £60million last summer but hasn’t quite found his place in the Gunners starting XI thus far.

A more imposing figure than the likes of Trossard, Sterling or Nwaneri, while perhaps possessing the pressing intensity that Arteta looks for from Havertz, the Spaniard could finally get a run in the team as a surprise striker.

It certainly wouldn’t be ideal, but Arteta is desperate and it could turn out to be a stroke of genius if he is a success there.




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