08 November 2023 , 18:54
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Arsenal were forced to contend their Champions League group stage clash against Sevilla without a recognised striker in their match-day squad.
Gabriel Jesus has not been since the last meeting between these two sides last month, but Eddie Nketiah suffered a knock during Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Newcastle that meant he was also ruled out of action for the face off with the Spaniards. As a result, Mikel Arteta had to adjust accordingly.
The Gunners manager hopted to deploy Leandro Trossard up top, flanked either side by Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Far more similar to Jesus than Nketiah, Trossard thrives when told to operate as more of a false nine and drop deep to help create.
News of Jesus' absence will come as little surprise to the Arsenal faithful, but Nketiah's injury is the latest in a long line of fitness woes handing Arteta quite the selection headache. The England ace was hooked in the 79th minute at St. James' Park and many saw it as him simply being replaced for tactical reasons.
However, his absence from the 18-man squad against Sevilla suggests he is carrying some sort of knock. The situation doesn't bode well for Arsenal's next few vital league games as they aim to bounce back from their first Premier League defeat of the season.
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Burnley are the next side to make the trip to the Emirates and the Gunners will be expected to blow the Clarets away, albeit with very limited firepower at the moment. Kai Havertz has been tipped as someone who could occupy the same position as Trossard did against Sevilla.
The Germany international's Arsenal career started in such a role, but he has since been used in the midfield more often than not. Just who Arteta intends to use there on Saturday remains to be seen.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Do Arsenal need to sign a new striker in January? Comment below
Eddie Nketiah missed Wednesday's meeting with Sevilla through injury (Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)Trossard's inclusion in the starting line-up against Sevilla represented just the one change made from the loss to Newcastle. Before the game, social media was littered with speculation suggesting Aaron Ramsdale could regain his place in goal, but instead the under-fire David Raya earned another chance.
As of right now, any pundit or Gunners fan are seemingly on the same page when it comes to what areas Arteta needs to address most and they come at contrasting ends of the pitch.
Doubts over both Nketiah and Raya continue to linger as the January transfer window creeps closer.