Mikel Arteta reveals four players could replace Kai Havertz in the Arsenal team after striker transfer failure

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Arsenal ended the winter transfer window without signing a new striker, and that is really frustrating.

The Gunners have needed a prolific goalscorer for three years now. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the last Arsenal striker who was lethal in front of goal.

For one reason or another, Arsenal failed to sign one in the previous windows, and history repeated itself on deadline day this year as well.

Kai Havertz will be the main man up front for Arsenal for the remainder of the season, but Mikel Arteta says he has four other options in that role.

Four Arsenal players can play as a striker instead of Kai Havertz

Arsenal’s board needs to take some serious accountability for not signing a new striker in the winter window.

Yes, it was a very difficult market to do business in, but the Gunners were short of options with Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka both out injured, and it was the perfect time for them to back their manager.

However, that did not happen, and Havertz will now have to play almost every Arsenal game until the end of the season.

But, Arteta has promised to be flexible in that area, and the Arsenal manager has named four players who can fill in instead of Havertz in the top end of the pitch.

He said in his press conference ahead of the Newcastle United clash: “We’re going to have to be very flexible in the front line and the ones we have on their feet have to keep contributing.

“Leo [Trossard] can play in that position, Raheem [Sterling] has played in that position, Ethan [Nwaneri] I think can play in that position, [Gabriel] Martinelli can play there.

“So, let’s see in relation to how everyone is with moment, opponent, but we’re going to have to try something.”

Raheem Sterling vs Gabriel Martinelli vs Leandro Trossard vs Kai Havertz stats as a striker

Arteta is right, the four players he mentioned and Havertz can all play up front.

But, the big problem is that none of them are natural strikers. Nwaneri has never even played up front in his senior career so far.

Here’s how the others have fared when they have started up top over the years.

None of the above are particularly prolific, but Arsenal have got no choice now. Arteta will have to see who fits best as he cannot make Havertz play every game.

The Arsenal manager has tipped Nwaneri as a future striker in the past too, and we think that would be very interesting because the teenager’s finishing is excellent.

However, Havertz is Arsenal’s safest bet in the coming months.