Arsenal pulled off a precious 2-0 win at relegation-battling Leicester City on Saturday to stay within striking distance of Premier League pacesetters Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s decision to deploy Mikel Merino as a centre-forward in times of emergency proved a tactical masterstroke as the Spaniard netted twice beyond the 80th minute to seal the Gunners’ win.
However, injuries to several talismanic forwards still headline the latest Arsenal news, with the Spanish manager facing gigantic personnel problems ahead of the crunch period of the season.
Who’s out?
Long-term absentee Bukayo Saka will likely remain on the sidelines until March. The same goes for Brazilian ace Gabriel Martinelli.
While working on his recovery, Saka attended Arsenal Women’s North London derby against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur via the Daily Mail.
Renee Slegers’ side dismantled Spurs 5-0 to consolidate their pursuit of a top-three finish in the Women’s Super League.
On the other hand, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are out for the rest of the season, leaving Arteta short of reliable options in the front third.
Arsenal unfathomably refused to add a new striker in the January transfer window, casting significant doubt on their lofty Premier League ambitions.
While waiting for Saka and Martinelli to rejoin the squad, they’ll contest four league matches and both Champions League last-16 legs.
As such, Arsenal’s season stands on the precipice of potential disaster unless Arteta’s charges can defy high-profile absences.
Manager remains confident
Despite being left with bare bones, Arteta played down skepticism in his post-match conference after toppling Leicester last weekend.
“We believe in the resources we have and the quality of our players,” Arteta said via Arsenal.com.
“That we can still adapt and be competitive and win a lot of matches.
“We can still score. It can be a set piece. It can be done in various ways.
“The team has a lot of capacity in open spaces where we are dangerous as well. We had the ability to run – that’s what we needed.
“We’re a threat from every situation.”
Only time will tell whether Arteta’s words came from the heart or were a feeble attempt to reassure the fans.
What’s next?
Stranded seven points adrift of Liverpool with 13 games to go, Arsenal cannot afford a mistake down the final stretch.
However, the fixture schedule is merciless.
Coming up next for the Gunners is a London derby against out-of-sorts West Ham United.
Arsenal humbled the Irons 5-2 in November’s reverse fixture and will settle for nothing less than three points ahead of a daunting trip to the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest’s form has slightly dwindled in recent weeks, but the London giants cannot underestimate Nuno Espirito Santo’s side despite a 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in November.
Saka and Martinelli could be at Arteta’s disposal again by the time the Gunners face Premier League underachievers Manchester United at Old Trafford in early March.
Finally, Arsenal will lock horns with top-four hopefuls Chelsea on home turf to round up a relatively light March schedule.
Arsenal need new hero
Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions hang in the balance as injuries pile up, leaving Arteta with limited attacking options.
With key forwards sidelined, the Gunners must navigate a ruthless schedule, including crucial London derbies and Champions League clashes.
Arteta remains optimistic, but his squad faces a genuine test of resilience.
Heroes emerge in dire times, and this is perhaps a chance for 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri to fulfill his potential.
Widely considered one of England’s hottest prospects, Nwaneri – who became the youngest-ever Premier League debutant at just 15 – could cement his first-team status in North London in the coming weeks.