Arsenal are in a state of crisis in forwards areas due to a number of injuries.
Kai Havertz is out for the season, while Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka aren’t expected to return to action until mid-March.
Gabriel Jesus is also out for the season, leaving Mikel Arteta with just three senior forwards in his squad.
Arsenal Insider revealed that Arsenal are considering internal solutions, such as converting a defender into a forward.
However, the Gunners’ coaching staff shouldn’t look to overcomplicate things, and should instead lean on Leandro Trossard to lead the line.
Arsenal must use Leandro Trossard up front amid surprising stat
Reports have suggested that Arsenal are considering using Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker in the absence of Havertz and Jesus.
On paper, Merino has some of the attributes, such as his aerial threat and pressing capabilities, that make him well suited to a forward role.
However, the Spaniard lacks many of the technical nuances required to play up front in an Arteta system, and the Gunners ought to start Trossard instead.
Trossard has frustrated fans with some of his recent performances, but the Belgian has always looked more natural in central areas and actually has an impressive record in games in which he’s started as a number nine.
Since he joined Arsenal, the former Brighton man has started nine Premier League games up front, winning eight and drawing one.
| Arsenal’s record with Leandro Trossard starting as a striker in the Premier League | |
| Matches | 9 |
| Wins | 8 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Goals For | 29 |
| Goals Against | 4 |
The one draw came at home to Fulham near the start of last season, and Arteta opted to hook Trossard at half-time of that encounter.
This remarkable record demonstrates that utilising the 30-year-old centrally is the best way to maximise his strengths.
Arsenal have looked fluid going forward with Trossard as a false nine, peeling off to both wings as well as dropping deep to facilitate play, and allowing others to exploit the space in the box that he vacates.
Scoring 29 goals in nine games with him up front is astounding, and while having the likes of Saka and Martinelli either side of him certainly elevates this number, it does suggest there is a promising blueprint here for Arsenal to work with.
Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling can be productive wingers either side of Leandro Trossard
While replacing Havertz down the middle is important, replacing Saka and Martinelli is arguably as important.
Ethan Nwaneri, while still raw, boasts some of the attributes that Arsenal lack without Saka.
The teenager has the ability to cut in and create or shoot on his left foot that Saka brings, while his aggressive ball carrying from deep fills some of the ball progression void the team loses without its talisman.
Meanwhile, Sterling can step up if he’s given an extended run of games in the team.
The Chelsea loanee has been limited mostly to short cameos and starts in cup competitions thus far, but may be able to rediscover some of his best form with regular minutes.
While it feels all doom and gloom for Arsenal fans, there’s potential for an exciting front three to be forged in the coming weeks.
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