Injuries have been a frequent and unfortunate talking point for Arsenal this season. It's an dilemma that has been presented to Mikel Arteta ever since the start of the campaign in August, pretty much, and is showing no signs of relenting.

News emerged on Tuesday that Kai Havertz is expected to be ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury. The Germany international picked up the injury during the Dubai training camp, handing a major blow to the Gunners going forward.

The injury to Havertz means that Arsenal no longer have a recognised centre forward in the senior squad. Gabriel Jesus is also sidelined for the rest of the season with an ACL injury, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli remain unavailable with hamstring injuries.

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Havertz's injury will mean that Arteta may have to get creative with his team selections for the foreseeable future. One player who may be in contention to feature as a centre forward is Ethan Nwaneri.

The 17-year-old scored his first Premier League goal for Arsenal in the 5-1 win over Manchester City earlier this month. Arteta also introduced Nwaneri as a substitute to replace the injured Martinelli in the defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup a few days later.

Arteta has previously admitted that he believes Nwaneri is capable of performing as a striker.

"Leo [Trossard] can play in that position [as a striker]. Raheem [Sterling] has played in that position," Arteta told reporters in December. "Ethan [Nwaneri], I think, can play in that position. [Gabriel] Martinelli can play there.

"Let's see in relation to how everybody is, moment, opponent, but at some point, I think we're going to have to try something different."

Should Arteta decide to use Nwaneri as a striker, he could use the playmaker as part of a new formation. Martin Odegaard could support Nwaneri in a No.10 role, just behind the centre forward position, and form a new partnership for the Gunners.

Arteta has predominately gone with a 4-3-3 formation in the past but could switch to a 4-5-1 to accommodate the recent injuries. Declan Rice and Thomas Partey would provide the solidity in the middle of the park, allowing Odegaard to support Nwaneri in the forward areas.

That would then leave two spots in the team for Arteta to select to support the wide midfield/forward positions. Trossard and Sterling would be suitable for these roles, while Mikel Merino, with his goalscoring threat and an ability to help maintain possession, would also be a good fit.