Arsenal have an incredibly strong attacking trio in Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe – arguably the best front three in the league along with Liverpool’s triad. However, having no like for like replacements for the three is a worry and any injuries to those players could have serious implications for the Gunners’ chances to get back into the Champions League.
With the only other forwards at the club being Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Martinelli, the Gunners have left themselves in terrible danger of a potential crisis, with the appearing to have not learnt their lessons from previous seasons. The question that Emery needs to solve is whether to persevere with the players that are available to him or dip into the transfer market in January and bring in the offensive quality that the Gunners’ require to finish in the top four.
Arsenal’s new Brazilian signing made an fine first impression after his two stunning goals against Nottingham Forest during their 5-0 victory in the Carabao Cup. Naturally a winger, he can provide short-term cover for the likes of Lacazette and Pepe. However, when it comes to Aubameyang and with the scintillating start to the season he’s had, there is too much pressure on the 18-year-old to be able to carry out a sufficient job and score 20 goals a season.
The same can be said about their other attacking option, Reiss Nelson. At the age of 19, Nelson as appeared 21 times for the Gunners and spent last season on loan at the German side Hoffenheim. Nelson had a good campaign in the Bundesliga for Die Kraichgauer who scored seven goals in 29 games.
The logical option would be to bring a striker in. Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard has been linked with the Gunners and would be an option that Emery should consider. Reinforcements are key during a 38-game season and Arsenal should be trying to improve on their squads to finish above of the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester City.