Why Arsenal could regret not signing a striker in January

The club is currently grappling with a series of injuries to key attacking players, which have severely limited their options at the top of the pitch. While Mikel Arteta has built a squad capable of competing at the highest level, their lack of an out-and-out goalscorer may prove costly in their pursuit of silverware.

Havertz Injury Adds to Arsenal's Woes

The most recent setback is the loss of Kai Havertz, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury sustained in Dubai during a training camp. Havertz, Arsenal's leading scorer this season with 15 goals, has had surgery and will be sidelined until pre-season.

This injury compounds existing issues in Arsenal's attacking ranks. Gabriel Jesus is out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are recovering from hamstring injuries. These absences leave manager Mikel Arteta with limited options up front, relying on Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, and teenager Ethan Nwaneri to lead the attack.

Missed Opportunities in January

Arsenal's inactivity in the January transfer window is now under scrutiny. The club made an official £60 million bid for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, which was rejected, and also showed renewed interest in Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. However, no deals were finalised, leaving the squad short of options in an area where they needed reinforcements.

The reluctance to break the bank for a top-class striker is understandable from a financial standpoint, but from a footballing perspective, the failure to bring in another goalscorer could prove to be disastrous. The Gunners are still in contention for both the Premier League title and the Champions League, but their lack of firepower may hinder their ability to maintain form and secure necessary wins.

Tactical Adjustments and Increased Pressure

The situation also places immense pressure on the remaining fit players. Trossard and Sterling, while experienced, are not traditional central strikers, and Nwaneri, though talented, is still developing and new to senior football. This scenario could force Arteta to adjust his tactical approach, potentially deploying a false nine or relying on midfielders to contribute more on the goal-scoring front.

Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice may have to step up in terms of goal contributions, while others may have to bring more creativity and attacking intent to the table. However, this is far from an ideal solution for a team with ambitions to win major trophies.

Title Race Implications

Arsenal's lack of attacking depth could derail their title chances. Premier League betting odds indicate the Gunners are still considered contenders, but the gap between them and league leaders Liverpool may widen if Arsenal are unable to score goals in crucial matches.

The Gunners will have to rely on being solid at the back and capitalising even more on set pieces, which have worked well for them so far this season. However, their decision not to bring in a forward, even on loan until the end of the season, may prove costly.

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