Arsenal’s centre-forward picture has changed dramatically in just a few days. Kai Havertz, who had established himself as one of Mikel Arteta’s trusted options through the middle, has picked up a knee injury and is now being assessed. Gabriel Jesus is still unavailable as he continues his recovery from knee surgery, leaving Arsenal light in a key area of the pitch.
At the same time, Arsenal made a decisive move to bring in Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace in a deal worth up to £67.5 million. That move was not planned weeks in advance. It came quickly and directly after Havertz’s setback, a sign of how seriously the club views the lack of options.
So, the question is clear. Are Arsenal heading into a striker crisis, or is this something they can manage?
The Immediate Depth Chart
Right now Viktor Gyökeres is the only fully fit, natural striker in Arsenal’s senior squad. The Swedish international was signed to be the solution up front and has the reputation of a prolific scorer in Portugal. He has already shown glimpses of what he can do, but carrying the entire burden across the Premier League and Champions League is a heavy ask.
With Havertz undergoing tests and Jesus still some way off, Arteta’s squad looks thin in the most decisive area of the pitch. This is why attention has turned not only to Eze but also to the players already in the squad who might be able to fill the gap.
What Eze brings and what he doesn’t
If Arsenal finalise the signing of Eze, they will add one of the league’s most creative and dynamic attackers. His ability to carry the ball, beat defenders, and link midfield with attack will make Arsenal less predictable. He will open up space for others and improve the quality of chances created.
What Eze does not do is solve the striker issue directly. He is not the type to lead the line or play with his back to goal. Instead, his arrival allows Arteta to shape the attack in new ways and rely less on a traditional No. 9. That flexibility could be crucial in the coming weeks.
Internal Options: Trossard, Nwaneri and Martinelli
Arsenal do have players who can cover, even if they are not natural centre-forwards.
Leandro Trossard has quietly become one of the most important squad players since joining from Brighton. His intelligence in tight areas, sharp finishing, and ability to find pockets of space make him a strong option as a false nine. He lacks the size and power of Havertz or Gyökeres, but against teams who sit deep, Trossard’s movement can unlock defences.
Ethan Nwaneri, now 18, is another intriguing possibility. He has only just signed a new long-term deal and is being slowly introduced to the first team. His quick feet, creativity, and composure in advanced areas give him the qualities to try the false nine role if needed. It would be a huge leap of responsibility for such a young player, but Arteta has never been afraid to trust talent when the moment calls for it.
Gabriel Martinelli is the other name in the conversation. Normally devastating from the left wing, Martinelli has the pace and aggression to play centrally if Arteta wants a more direct option. His pressing from the front and ability to stretch defences vertically could be valuable. The challenge is that moving him inside would sacrifice his width, which remains one of Arsenal’s most effective attacking weapons.
Between these three and Gyökeres, Arsenal do have options. None are perfect replacements for Havertz, but each offers something different that can be used depending on the opponent.
Will Arsenal still add another striker?
The big question now is whether Arsenal will look to the market for another striker before the window closes. Much depends on the results of Havertz’s scans. If the injury rules him out for a longer spell, the pressure to bring in another forward will grow. If the news is more positive, the club may decide to trust the existing options and avoid a rushed deal.
What is certain is that Arsenal have positioned themselves to act quickly if needed. The club showed with the Eze deal that it can move fast when opportunity arises. A similar move for a striker is not out of the question if the situation worsens.
Tactical solutions without a striker
Even without a natural No. 9, Arteta has ways to set up his side to keep scoring goals. He can go with a false nine system, asking Trossard or even Nwaneri to drop into midfield and pull defenders out of position. He can play with a fluid front three, using Martinelli, Saka, and eventually Eze to rotate constantly and overwhelm opponents with movement. Or he can push more of the scoring burden onto the midfield, where Ødegaard, Rice, and Eze are all capable of chipping in.
This is why Arsenal are not panicking. They have played long spells without a classic striker before and found ways to win.
So… crisis or controllable?
On paper, Arsenal’s striker depth is dangerously thin. Losing Havertz is a major blow and Jesus is still some way off. Gyökeres cannot do it all on his own. That makes this a genuine area of concern for Arteta.
At the same time, this does not feel like a collapse. Between Gyökeres’ availability, Trossard’s versatility, Martinelli’s explosiveness, and Nwaneri’s potential, Arsenal can patch things together. The imminent arrival of Eze adds creativity that will ease the pressure.
It is not yet a crisis, but the margin is thin. One more setback could push Arsenal into a serious problem, and the next update on Havertz will determine how the club reacts. For now, it is a challenge that can be managed, but it is one that will test the depth and adaptability of Arteta’s squad.