Arsenal are currently severely depleted in forward areas, and Mikel Arteta is subsequently having to call upon unconventional attacking options.
Mikel Merino saved the day for the Gunners on Saturday against Leicester, coming off the bench as a striker to score twice.
The Spaniard dispatched both goals excellently, and could well develop into a short-term forward solution for Arteta.
However, the fact Arsenal had to resort to using a midfielder up front highlights the concerning lack of depth the North Londoners currently have, and this may prove to be an issue in the coming weeks.
Former Arsenal star Chido Obi makes Manchester United debut
Leaving Denmark to join the Arsenal Academy at the age of 14, Chido Obi sent shock waves through Hale End with his ridiculously potent goal-scoring record at youth level.
The Gunners fought to keep the prospect, but ultimately lost out as the young Dane opted to join Manchester United after being offered a lucrative contract by the Red Devils.
Obi scored a hat-trick for United in the FA Youth Cup last week, and was rewarded for this with a spot on Ruben Amorim’s bench this weekend.
The north-west outfit lost away at Spurs, in a game which saw the Portuguese head coach bring the former Arsenal star on for his senior debut in stoppage time.
The only player entrusted by Amorim to come on at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the day, Obi didn’t have a touch of the ball in his two-minute cameo.
However, with the nature of Arsenal’s bench on Saturday, Arteta must’ve been watching the 17-year-old make his debut, wishing that the Emirates hierarchy had been more willing to invest in the starlet.
Chido Obi’s debut shows Arsenal made a mistake
Merino could establish himself as a genuine striker option for Arsenal in the coming weeks, but even if he does, the Gunners are seriously short up front.
Raheem Sterling was woeful against Leicester, producing a performance that indicates that he may not have much left to give at the highest level.
The veteran winger’s downfall means Arsenal are banking on Merino sustaining his centre-forward form, and on Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri carrying the attack, until Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli return from injury.
Arsenal had just Nathan Butler-Oyedeji as a recognised forward on the bench in the East Midlands – a 22-year-old striker who failed to score in 24 appearances on loan in League Two and League One last season.
Thus, having a player who is trusted to play against Tottenham in the Premier League, on the bench, would’ve been a useful asset for Arteta to have at his disposal.
Amorim selecting Obi shows that he’s deemed ready to play at senior level, and that alone means he’s an upgrade on what Arteta has on his bench currently.
Obi may be regretful of his decision to jump ship for Old Trafford, although Arsenal may be the more regretful party on Monday morning, ruing the opportunity to have a genuine striker option in Arteta’s squad beyond Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
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