Arsenal are short in attacking areas due to several injury issues, and Mikel Arteta is subsequently considering some unconventional options.
The Gunners will be without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus for the next month or so, with the latter two ruled out for the season.
Saka is expected to return in March, while Martinelli could miss up to seven games with a hamstring issue.
Leandro Trossard is likely to lead the line, although the Belgian won’t be able to play every minute and thus a back-up option will be required.
Mikel Arteta says Riccardo Calafiori is an option as a striker
Arsenal Insider revealed this week that Arsenal are considering converting a defender into a forward.
This has sparked debate amongst the Gunners’ faithful online about which defender could be used as a striker.
Riccardo Calafiori has been mooted as a centre-forward option, and Arteta confirmed this when speaking to the media prior to the game against Leicester on Saturday afternoon.
Asked about the idea, the Spanish coach responded: “It’s an option.”
Arsenal travel to Leicester without a recognised senior forward on their bench.
22-year-old Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, who has made one appearance for the Arsenal first-team, is the only attacking option Arteta can call upon.
Riccardo Calafiori could make a good striker
While it’s far from an ideal solution, Calafiori is probably one of the more suitable makeshift centre-forwards at Arteta’s disposal.
The Italian strikes the ball cleanly, has a knack for finding himself in good goal-scoring positions and has the physicality to provide a focal point as a striker.
Described as ‘outstanding’ by football analyst Ben Mattinson, Calafiori’s multi-faceted set of attributes stand him in good stead to thrive in any position.
With Myles Lewis-Skelly holding down the left-back spot, there is less of a need for Calafiori in the back-line, freeing him up to be purely a forward option in the upcoming weeks.
It’s a desperate time for Arsenal, which ultimately calls for desperate measures.
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