The 2024 season seemed destined for greatness for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, as a rejuvenating warm-weather trip to Dubai sparked a turnaround in form that had supporters buzzing with hope. However, the optimism of the previous year has sharply contrasted with the misfortunes faced by the Gunners in 2025. With key injuries and a failure to reinforce their attacking options in January, Arsenal now finds itself at a crossroads, facing a critical juncture in their campaign.
The season took a precarious turn with the announcement that Kai Havertz, the team’s only available central striker, suffered a severe hamstring injury. The absence of a dependable forward threatens to unravel the team’s coherence on the pitch. This setback adds to a long list of misfortunes that have characterized Arsenal’s season, revealing a vulnerability that could have been mitigated with better foresight in the transfer market. The decision not to sign additional strikers during the winter transfer window has backfired, leaving them with limited options to adapt.
While hindsight allows for easy criticism, the absence of proactive planning around potential injuries stands out glaringly. With only a free agent market available for immediate recruitment, the Gunners face the daunting task of identifying a player capable of stepping in immediately to fill the void—an undeniably tall order given the circumstances.
With limited options to choose from, the candidates for replacing Havertz on a temporary basis appear far from appealing. The prospect of bringing in Carlos Vela—a former player who suited up for Arsenal from 2005 to 2012—whispers of nostalgia but also carries hefty questions regarding his current capabilities. Now at 35, Vela has spent the last several years enjoying his career in Major League Soccer (MLS), and the transition back to Premier League football would undoubtedly come with a steep learning curve. The idea of using him as a central striker seems far-fetched, given that his strength lies in wing play, further complicating Arteta’s tactical plans.
Diego Costa also puts a spotlight on the team’s desperation for an experienced striker, having returned to the Premier League in 2022 for Wolves but failing to ignite the form seen during his glory days at Chelsea. At 36 years old, his ability to compete at the required intensity and adapt to Arsenal’s playing style is highly questionable. The mixture of nostalgia and apprehension creates a sense that simply recruiting Costa might be more of a gamble than a tactical improvement.
Further down the list lies the enigmatic Lucas Gómez. Once considered a promising talent, Gómez’s career has been marred by inconsistency and lack of fitness. The glaring statistic of having not scored a single goal during his loan spell at Cádiz last season raises red flags about his readiness to take on the pressure of Arsenal’s attacking responsibilities. Though technically in his prime at 28, the reality is that he may not be the immediate fix the Gunners desperately need.
As the Gunners scramble to find external reinforcements, the spotlight shifts toward their youth academy, an often underutilized source of talent. Two notable prospects—Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Khayon Edwards—have shown flashes of potential at the youth level. However, both have had disappointing loan spells that raise doubts about their readiness for first-team action in the Premier League. Butler-Oyedeji, despite his accolades at the Premier League 2 level, has yet to make a mark during his loan ventures, while Edwards’s inexperience paints him as a risky option for Arteta amidst an already challenging season.
With key players like Havertz and Gabriel Jesus potentially facing lengthy absences, turning to young talents could either present a stroke of genius or add to the team’s woes. Arsenal’s current predicament reflects a broader issue: the club’s reliance on a handful of stars means that the loss of even one player can destabilize their entire campaign.
With bleak recruitment prospects and injuries mounting, Arsenal is positioned precariously as it navigates the latter stages of the season. The choices they’ll make in the weeks to come will be pivotal not only for their immediate performance but also for the club’s broader ambitions. The failure to adequately plan for contingencies, illuminated by their current striker crisis, serves as a reminder that a successful footballing strategy requires foresight, adaptability, and a willingness to invest in depth.
While Arteta and his squad may still hold aspirations for challenging in domestic competitions, the path forward is fraught with challenges. Arsenal must recalibrate, either finding a surprising solution within their own ranks or hoping for a miracle signing that could bring fresh life to their season. In a league as competitive as the Premier League, the clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting for the Gunners.
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