UPDATES 》21-year-old striker who is set to be promoted to the Arsenal first-team

Mikel Arteta could turn his attention to 21-year-old academy striker following Kai Havertz’s hamstring injury

Arsenal may be forced to turn to their Hale End academy for attacking reinforcements after Kai Havertz suffered a season-ending hamstring injury during training in Dubai. With Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli also sidelined, Mikel Arteta faces a severe shortage of attacking options, particularly in central positions and academy striker Khayon Edwards has been tipped to get a run in the first-team.

With the January transfer window now closed, Arteta must find internal solutions. Speaking last week, the Arsenal boss acknowledged the need for flexibility in attack.

“We are going to have to be flexible in the front line,” Arteta admitted. “Leo (Trossard), Ethan (Nwaneri), Martinelli, Raheem (Sterling) can play in that position. Let’s see in relation to how everybody is, the moment, and the opponent. But, at some point, we’re going to have to try something different.”

In previous campaigns, Arteta has experimented with players like Emile Smith Rowe and Willian in false nine roles, and he may need to repurpose one of his remaining senior players. However, Arsenal’s best solutions could come from within, with several promising forwards from the U21 squad in contention for first-team minutes.

According to The Athletic reporter James McNicholas, Mikel Arteta could invite 21-years-old striker Khayon Edwards to the first team.

Edwards has been a standout performer in Premier League 2 this season, scoring seven goals in 10 matches. However, he is yet to make a senior appearance for Arsenal. The young forward was prolific at U18 level, netting 16 goals in 16 matches, but struggled during a loan spell at Leyton Orient last season, failing to score in seven League One appearances.

Edwards, who has previously made the first-team bench, has a record of 21 goals in 48 games for the U21s and could be handed a chance to step up in Arsenal’s time of need.

Another forward mentioned by the report is Nathan Butler-Oyedeji. The 22-year-old who has been training with the first team in Dubai, appears the most likely academy player to feature if Arteta turns to youth. The versatile forward can play as a striker or out wide and made his senior Arsenal debut as a late substitute against Dinamo Zagreb.

Known for his speed and flair, Butler-Oyedeji has contributed seven goals and six assists in Premier League 2 this season. However, like Edwards, he struggled during loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Cheltenham, failing to find the net.

Other academy options include winger Ismeal Kabia, who is currently training with the first team in Dubai. Kabia is an explosive winger capable of playing on either flank, though he is most comfortable on the right. While not the most prolific, his speed and dangerous deliveries make him a valuable attacking option.

Another option is Charles Sagoe Jr, who recently returned from a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town. Sagoe Jr made his senior Arsenal debut against Brentford in the Carabao Cup last season. Known for his trickery, he primarily plays as a winger but has also been deployed as a forward.