Mikel Arteta is not ruling out playing Riccardo Calafiori up front after William Saliba put himself forward to be a stopgap amid their injury crisis.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
- Arsenal facing injury issues in attack
- Saliba nominates himself to fill in
- Arteta admits Calafiori could be used there
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Arsenal are without forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus for the rest of the season due to injury and after centre-back Saliba offered his services in attack, manager Arteta has hinted fellow defender Calafiori could be an option for them.
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WHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID
When asked about playing Calafiori as a striker, Arteta told TNT Sports: “It’s been done in the past you know. They have this capacity to become a threat, especially in the context of the game against low blocks, it is an option that we have.”
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal's bid to finally end their two-decade-long wait for the Premier League title has been hit hard by injuries to Havertz and Jesus, not to mention fellow attackers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. While 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri could be another attacking alternative, Arteta is very short of options right now.
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WHAT NEXT?
For the meantime, Arteta seems to be going with Leandro Trossard as Arsenal's centre forward, with the Belgian starting in that position against Leicester City on Saturday. Whether Calafiori will be used in a more advanced role will be revealed soon enough.
