Arsenal have been without a striker for a few weeks now, and Mikel Arteta has had to think outside the box to find a solution.
The Gunners lost Gabriel Jesus to a serious knee injury in January. Arsenal chose not to sign a new forward in the winter window, and that decision backfired just a few weeks later.
Kai Havertz suffered a season-ending injury too, and to make things worse, Gabriel Martinelli has been on the sidelines as well in recent weeks.
With Bukayo Saka also out injured, Arteta has been forced to deploy Mikel Merino as a striker, and the Spaniard has done a decent job there.
Now, another Arsenal player has put his name forward to play up front.
Riccardo Calafiori says he can become Arsenal’s striker but there’s another role he can play better
Riccardo Calafiori has impressed Arsenal’s fans with his ability in attack this season.
The Italy international joined the Gunners from Bologna last summer, and he has had a few injury issues. However, he has produced moments of magic as well, scoring three excellent goals.
The latest was against PSV Eindhoven in the 7-1 win in the Champions League recently. Calafiori made a run that Ian Wright would be proud of and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net with his weak foot.
That has led to Arsenal fans suggesting that the Italian could play up top if required, and Calafiori has claimed that he is ready to play as a striker if Arteta wants him there.
However, the 22-year-old feels that he could have a much bigger impact running into a striker’s position rather than starting high up the pitch like a natural number nine would.
Calafiori said, as per TMW: “As I have always said and I repeat, I feel I can play in any role and obviously I would be ready to play it (as a striker).
“Then, honestly, we should talk more about the technical and tactical aspects, it wouldn’t be easy because I’ve never done it in my life. Obviously, if you ask me I’ll do it, but I don’t know if it could really be an alternative.
“It’s one thing to already be there, as I always tell my teammates, and it’s another thing to get there on the run, which is a totally different thing. And I’m really good at that.”
Mikel Arteta has a serious dilemma now after Riccardo Calafiori’s goal
Calafiori was brought in to become Arsenal’s first-choice left-back last summer, but the former Bologna man has lost his place in the side.
That is because of Myles Lewis-Skelly’s emergence at left-back, and the teenager is a regular starter when he is available.
Arsenal take on Manchester United on Sunday, and Lewis-Skelly would’ve expected to start that game until he narrowly avoided a red card against PSV.
Calafiori, the man who replaced him, was brilliant when he came on and even scored a wonderful goal by running into a striker’s position.
Arteta will have a serious dilemma over who he should start at left-back now. Lewis-Skelly would be the more assured option, but Calafiori would bring in some unpredictability with his runs.
Giving Calafiori a chance as a striker could solve that dilemma!
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