Mikel Arteta has been left to rue his failure of not signing a striker - especially since he was warned about the injury crisis he now faces.
Arsenal have suffered season-ending injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka has been out of action since December, and Gabriel Martinelli has joined them for a shorter spell on the sidelines. The lack of forward options has heavily impacted their Premier League title prospects, which has seen them drop 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand.
While the Spaniard attempted to address his side's depth issues at the top end of the pitch by signing Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea on Deadline Day last August, he's managed just three goal contributions and has been a major disappointment during his rare minutes.
The sales of Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace for a reported £25m and Emile Smith Rowe's transfer to Fulham for around £27m, with Reiss Nelson also joining the Cottagers on loan, further depleted the frontline. While Gunners icon Alan Smith praised the business of their exits, he did admit that their departures left a gaping hole, especially if they were to suffer injuries.
"Arsenal have generated good money for the academy boys," he said in September, speaking to CasinoApps. "Nketiah and Smith Rowe left for good sums, while Nelson went out on loan. That gave them an opportunity to raise some much-needed funds because of the new financial rules that the clubs have to adhere to.
"I do think the Gunners are a bit light through the middle in the striker position. Gabriel Jesus keeps on picking up injuries - he’s out at the moment - and we don't know how close he is to fitness. It's difficult to rely on him. If he is injured, then you've just got to have what you have, which isn’t ideal."
Despite links to Newcastle's Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko last summer, Arsenal didn't bring in a striker and also failed to do the same in January after seeing a £60million bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins swiftly rejected.
"In an ideal world, Arteta would have brought somebody in, but the striker he wanted wasn’t available," Smith added. "That is the one part of the Arsenal team where you worry about depth. I have my fingers crossed that Havertz doesn’t get injured."
His fears have since been realised, meaning a third straight runners-up finish looks likely for Arteta's men. While the Spaniard has transformed the culture at the club, the Champions League now looks to be the only remaining shot at adding to his solitary FA Cup triumph this season.
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