Mikel Arteta may be forced to tinker with his Arsenal team once again as fears over a potential injury for Kai Havertz have arisen in recent days.
With Arsenal’s trip to Dubai, there was some hope that a warm-weather break would give some energy back to the players while easing up on any injury concerns.
However, there may well be a fresh issue for Mikel Arteta to deal with, as recent fears have popped up surrounding an injury for Kai Havertz.
The forward wasn’t spotted in any of the images from Arsenal, while fans at the session claimed that there was an issue.
It’s unclear whether there really is a concern for the forward, which will likely be revealed in due course.
However, with those fears in mind, the potential replacements if Kai Havertz is out show just how concerning the striker situation is at the club.
Potential Kai Havertz injury replacements as Arsenal striker
While it’s unclear if Kai Havertz is injured or not, the options beyond him in place of a potential absence aren’t very vast.
Gabriel Jesus’ ACL injury leaves him sidelined, while Gabriel Martinelli’s hamstring problem and Bukayo Saka’s injury leave them out of contention.
It leaves just three senior options who could fill in at centre-forward over the coming weeks.
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling is yet to have a huge impact on the season but could be set to have an opportunity in the side coming up.
The 30-year-old has largely played on the right flank, with a few chances to feature on the left, but centre-forward could be his new place to thrive.
Sterling has played as a striker 62 times in his career, scoring 25 goals and assisting ten – via Transfermarkt.
Whether he can add that clinical edge that’s needed is unclear, but it could be a huge chance to work his way into the team on a consistent basis.
Leandro Trossard
Arsenal star Leandro Trossard has been a versatile option for Mikel Arteta, playing on the left wing regularly but also being handed opportunities at centre-forward.
The Belgian international has shown an ability to score with some clinical finishes when he is playing at his very best.
That decision to start Trossard as a striker may come down to whether Arteta thinks he or his teammates will be more effective on the wing or not.
Ethan Nwaneri
In his early career so far, Ethan Nwaneri has largely played as a right-winger, taking up the position from the injured Bukayo Saka.
The 17-year-old has already hit the heights several times, scoring some important goals for Arsenal throughout the season.
Nwaneri’s future could lay elsewhere though, with Mikel Arteta hinting at a position change earlier this season.
“Ethan can play as a right attacking midfielder, a left attacking midfielder. He can play as a right winger and there is another position I think he can develop into a number nine,” he said.
“He has got the goal in front of him and he looks at the goal and he has a tremendous ability to put the ball in the back of the net.”
That could then lead to Nwaneri featuring as a centre-forward if Havertz is out of action.
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