How could Arsenal line up without Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus? Potential options for Mikel Arteta after injuries

Kai Havertz has joined Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on Arsenal's increasingly long list of injured attackers. The Germany international looked set to play a key role for The Gunners as they pushed to end their 21-year wait for a Premier League title during the second half of the season. However, Mikel Arteta will now have to go back to the drawing board.

Arsenal are in the midst of an attacking injury crisis.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are both suffering from hamstring issues, while Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus looks set to be out for the foreseeable future with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Now to make matters worse, the club have confirmed that Kai Havertz will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury suffered during a training camp in Dubai.

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This wave of injuries could not have come at a worse time for The Gunners as they bid to end their 21-year wait for a Premier League title.

Mikel Arteta's side are currently second in the table, six points behind league leaders Liverpool.

With so much riding on Arsenal's ability to score goals during a crucial second half of the season, let's look at what they could do to stitch up their attack following Havertz's season-ending injury.

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Have faith in the youth

Arsenal have one of the finest academies in English football, having brought through the likes of Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly in recent years.

Another future star joined Lewis-Skelly in bursting onto the scene this term, in the form of Ethan Nwaneri.

The versatile forward may only be 17 years old, but he has already proven he has an eye for a goal, with seven to his name across all competitions this term.

Arteta has even suggested that the youngster could be deployed as a No. 9 in the future.

"Ethan can play as a right attacking midfielder, a left attacking midfielder," the Spaniard said in December.

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"He can play as a right-winger and there is another position I think he can develop into - No. 9.

"He has got the goal in front of him, and he looks at the goal, and he has a tremendous ability to put the ball in the back of the net."

As it stands, he is one of only three fit attackers in the senior squad, so will be on course for a regular place in the XI.

Play a winger more centrally

Arsenal's fit attacking talent is all out wide. Leandro Trossard has been a consistent goal threat since arriving at Emirates Stadium from Brighton & Hove Albion, though, and he can always be relied upon to play more centrally.

The Belgian is not the only wide player with experience as a striker.

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Raheem Sterling was deployed in the role during his time with Manchester City as well as Chelsea, and he could always be used to plug the gap left by Havertz and Jesus.

Sterling was a proven finisher in his prime, and at just 30 years old, he could still have more left in the tank.

Look for a free transfer

Arsenal were reportedly interested in signing a new striker in January.

They supposedly made a late bid to sign Ollie Watkins, and there were several stories linking them with a move for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak.

However, they missed their chance to sign someone, and now the window is closed.

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All is not lost though, they could still sign a free transfer, and there are several interesting names currently not contracted to a club.

Former Gunner Carlos Vela is available, as is controversial forward Diego Costa.

They are both entering the twilight of their respective careers, but desperate times could call for desperate measures.

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