Arsenal’s ongoing injury crisis has left manager Mikel Arteta with limited options as key players Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli remain sidelined. With the squad stretched thin, Arteta has had to find creative solutions to maintain the club’s Premier League title challenge.
The Gunners managed to secure a crucial 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday, with midfielder Mikel Merino stepping up in an unfamiliar striker role. Arsenal’s failure to sign a forward during the January transfer window has come back to haunt them, as injuries to Martinelli and Havertz have further weakened the squad after the market closed.
Arteta may be forced to turn to Arsenal youth ranks to fill the gaps in his attacking options. Several academy players have been making a strong case for first-team opportunities, following in the footsteps of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who have impressed this season.
Arsenal have several academy players pushing for first-team inclusion following multiple injuries to Mikel Arteta’s forwards
{@Arsenal) pic.twitter.com/9qL1wWwhx5— North London Forever (@north_londonF77) February 18, 2025
Charles Sagoe Jr. recently returned from a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town, where he made 18 appearances but struggled for consistent starts. Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand overcame early injury struggles during a loan stint at Den Bosch but has yet to attract further opportunities this season. While Khayon Edwards spent time at Leyton Orient last year and has continued his impressive form in the Premier League 2, contributing 10 goals or assists in 11 games this season.
