Arsenal face triple striker decision as Edu scrutiny on the rise ahead of transfer deadline

Arsenal continue to search for a forward before transfer deadline day but the reality is becoming clear that Mikel Arteta will have three centre-forward options after Friday

Time is running out for Arsenal as they enter the final days of the summer transfer window and with this lessening timeframe, the club have still yet to add the forward that is widely regarded as a must for the Gunners. Mikel Merino has now been confirmed and Eddie Nketiah is understood by football.london to be close to completing his move to Crystal Palace too.

The exit of Nketiah only lessens the options Mikel Arteta has in the forward line. Nketiah has not made any appearances for Arsenal this season but has been used in previous years when the likes of Gabriel Jesus were unavailable.

As of this moment, the Brazilian is again out injured, although it is not thought to be too serious but further clarification is pending. Nketiah’s sale means that there are now three options to play through the middle from the senior squad.

When fit, Jesus is of course one but is the second choice at the moment behind Kai Havertz. The German started the season perfectly with a goal and an assist in the 2-0 win over Wolves.

Beyond these two is Leandro Trossard who has played on numerous occasions through the middle for the Gunners with a good record too. Four goals and one assist in his seven showings in the role last season added to six assists in six games for Arsenal the season before.

However, he continues to have his best performances off the left, just as he demonstrated against Aston Villa last weekend. Arteta will be left with these three should the deadline pass and no striker is signed.

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That said, the likelihood is that this will be the case even at this stage. football.londonunderstands that while Arsenal are in the market for a forward, this is most likely to be a versatile wide player that they seek to provide depth for Bukayo Saka and the left flank.

While the three options at centre-forward may for some not be enough, having only one natural right-winger is a far more pressing reality for Arsenal and rightfully this is being prioritised. However, just like through the middle, names are not forthcoming at the moment.

While some have been suggested such as Nico Williams, Simon Adingra and Raheem Sterling, so far nothing has materialised to gauge who the club are working on. Time will tell but time is not on the club’s side and there is also still the goalkeeping situation with Aaron Ramsdale and Joan Garcia to sort out before Friday too.

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