Two Arsenal defenders have already offered to replace Kai Havertz – one says he could score 15 goals

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Mikel Arteta has a job to do for the remainder of the season as Arsenal suffered yet another devastating injury blow.

Some thought the season was done when Bukayo Saka tore his hamstring against Crystal Palace but, time passed and the Gunners got by.

Then Gabriel Jesus suffered an ACL injury to end his season, followed by Gabriel Martinelli facing a month out of action with a hamstring complaint.

Now, Arteta’s desperation to sign a striker in the January window has been reinforced, as Kai Havertz has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

• READ MORE: Three ways Arsenal could line up in the absence of Kai Havertz

How Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori can ease Kai Havertz injury nightmare

Sources close to Arsenal Insider understand that Arteta could call on a defender to help in attack amid the continual injury blows.

It’s unbelievable that things have come to this considering that the January transfer window only just closed, with Arsenal fans taking aim at Stan and Josh Kroenke after learning of the news regarding Havertz.

Losing Havertz is a travesty as the Gunners do not have another out-and-out number nine in their ranks, putting unimaginable pressure on Arteta to find an instant solution.

With the understanding that a defender could be utilised to help ease pressures going forward, the Arsenal manager already has two players he could call upon.

Earlier in the season, Jurrien Timber admitted he’d be a strong goalscorer if he were to play up front, claiming that he could score 15 goals in a season.

“Striker, in the season? [I would score] 15 goals, 15 assists!”

Timber isn’t the only defensive figure to make a claim regarding his prowess in attack, as Riccardo Calafiori commented on his finishing ability.

While the Italian admitted that he’s not the greatest finisher in training, Calafiori revealed that he’s destined to score when he attempts to in games.

“To be honest, even in training, I’m not so good. But then when it comes to the game, it’s different. I don’t know, the ball goes in the net.”

How many Arsenal forwards are available? 

Arsenal went into the summer transfer window having missed out on the Premier League title by just two points, under clear instruction from fans and pundits that a striker was needed.

Instead, a defender, two goalkeepers, a midfielder and Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling were signed, representing the birth of a nightmare.

Six months into the season, there are three senior attacking players left standing, Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri. 

What’s concerning is that despite being the least senior, Nwaneri alone has more goals than Trossard and Sterling combined this season, scoring seven to the pair’s combined six.

Where Arteta goes from here remains a mystery but, if Arsenal are to continue competing for silverware, the manager’s adaptability will warrant high reward.