Saliba offers to play striker as Arsenal face attacking crisis

Arsenal defender William Saliba has volunteered himself as an emergency striker following the club’s deepening injury crisis.

With Kai Havertz ruled out for the season and Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli also sidelined, Mikel Arteta is short on attacking options.

The Arsenal boss admitted, “We are going to have to be creative.”

Saliba, who played as a forward in his youth, was quick to volunteer. Arteta revealed, “Willy always says, ‘I’ll play as striker.’ He used to score a lot.”

However, the Frenchman has netted just seven goals since joining Arsenal in 2022.

The Gunners are now left with only Leandro Trossard, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, and Raheem Sterling as their available forwards.

Options for a makeshift No. 9 include Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino and Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori.

Free agents such as Diego Costa, Carlos Vela, and Kemar Roofe could also be considered, though Arteta remains undecided. “I’ll explore every possible situation and then make a decision,” he said.

Arsenal, still in the title race, are keen on finding solutions quickly, starting with their next match against Leicester.