Arsenal are the second-highest scorers in the Premier League, yet they have a striker problem. The Gunners pumped Manchester City for five last weekend to put three points between themselves in second and the chasing Nottingham Forest.

It seems foolish to suggest the Gunners are lacking in the forward department, but it is true. Mikel Arteta said he wanted a new signing in January, but did not get one.

Injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus have left Arsenal short up top, with Kai Havertz often hit and miss in front of goal. He is the club's top scorer in the Premier League, but he has not made it to double figures yet with ten clubs with players already on double figures for the campaign.

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Without Saka and Jesus, who was just coming into form prior to his season-ending injury, Havertz, alongside Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri, will battle it out for the three spots in the forward line. There is not much room for change or variation - especially with a new worry over Martinelli after the Newcastle clash.

The desire for a new forward stems not only from the fact that players are unavailable, but big chances too often go begging. Arsenal may be second in the table but they are six points adrift of Liverpool and that could be nine points if the reds win their Merseyside Derby game in hand next Wednesday.

And there are five players who are hurting Mikel Arteta and Arsenal when it comes to those chances. Havertz has been the biggest culprit so far this season, with 2.76 goals missing according to Understat. The German has hit nine goals in the Premier League but has an xG (expected goals) of 11.76.

Captain Martin Odegaard is not far behind with a -2.19 differential when it comes to xG. He has a 4.19 xG, but has managed just two goals this season. Gabriel Magalhaes has scored three goals, but his xG is 4.22, while Mikel Merino has two goals but should have scored 3.04.

Leandro Trossard is the other who could have almost one goal more to his name, having scored four with an xG of 4.84. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, William Saliba, Raheem Sterling, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu all have higher xGs than goals scored, but they are at 0.5 or less.

Gabriel Martinelli is the only regular forward outperforming his xG, but only just by 0.33, with Thomas Partey outperforming xG by 1.67 and wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri outperforming by 2.14.