Arsenal youngster who loves Gabriel Jesus is ‘in contention’ to make his debut against Leicester

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Arsenal’s attacking options are threadbare, and Mikel Arteta is subsequently considering using a number of youngsters to alleviate this issue.

The Gunners are without Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus for this weekend’s game away at Leicester City.

While Saka and Martinelli are expected to return to action soon, Havertz is out for the season with a hamstring injury, as is Jesus, who tore his ACL in January.

Thus, Arteta is scraping the barrel for potential solutions, and is now contemplating promoting an academy prospect who is yet to feature for the first team.

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Khayon Edwards is in contention to play for Arsenal

Max Dowman is considered an option for Arsenal if their potential appeal for special dispensation to use him is approved by the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Ismael Kabia are other Hale End graduates in the frame to feature.

However, a less known youngster that hasn’t featured as prominently in the first team this season is also in the picture.

According to the Athletic, 21-year-old Khayon Edwards is in contention to feature, and could be in line to play a role in the matchday squad as soon as this weekend against Leicester.

The young striker has led the line for the under-21s this campaign, scoring seven goals and registering one assist in nine starts in Premier League 2.

He’s also spent time on loan in League One with Leyton Orient, failing to find the back of the net in seven appearances for the East London outfit last season.

Would Khayon Edwards make a difference for Arsenal?

A nimble and agile strike with impressive goal-scoring instincts, Edwards certainly has potential.

However, he’s yet to produce at senior level, with most of his encouraging work coming for the under-21s.

It’s unclear how ready he’d be to make an impact at the top level, although it’s not unreasonable to suggest that utilising him would make more sense than deploying a senior player out of position.

When asked who the best Arsenal player is in training back in 2023, and who he learns from the most, Edwards cited Jesus.

Boasting a similar tenacity and dribbling style to Jesus, the starlet could represent the most similar player within the club to the Brazilian.

These similarities may prompt Arteta to use him on Saturday afternoon in the East Midlands.