Mikel Arteta believes Riccardo Calafiori is an option to solve striker crisis

Arsenal's injury crisis in attack will force Mikel Arteta into a new realm of creativity, and the Arsenal boss believes defender Riccardo Calafiori has emerged as a forward option.

We know that Arteta was bullish on bringing the Italian international in last summer after he broke through as a marauding left-back under Thiago Motta at Bologna. However, his debut campaign has so far been beset by injuries, and Myles Lewis-Skelly's emergence has limited his influence in recent weeks.

Calafiori did show plenty of glimpses during the autumn, as Arteta's tactical Swiss Army knife capable of unlocking a previously dormant left-hand side. The potential remains distinct, and perhaps he'll be helping the Gunners out in a way none of us foreshadowed upon his arrival over the next few weeks.

Mikel Arteta believes Riccardo Calafiori is an option to solve striker crisis

After opting against making a single signing in the January transfer window despite losing Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus to injury, Arsenal have since seen two more attacking options succumb. Gabriel Martinelli is out for the next month, while Kai Havertz will miss the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring out in Dubai.

The Gunners are down to three attacking options, forcing the fanbase to speculate as to how Arteta could mitigate the current crisis. Kieran Tierney and Mikel Merino have been discussed as creative solutions, but the boss confirmed ahead of Saturday's clash with Leicester that he's considering Calafiori as a forward outlet.

Speaking to TNT Sports pre-match, Arteta commented on the Italian's potential utilisation in his front three: “It’s been done in the past you know. They have this capacity to become a threat, especially in the context of the game against low blocks, it is an option that we have.”

Calafiori has manifested his attacking exuberane from full-back this season, offering a cultured touch in front of goal, too. The Italian scored a beauty from distance in the 2-2 draw at Manchester City in September and netted a coolly taken winner in the recent win over Wolves.

While he's exclusively operated in defence at senior level, Calafiori functioned as a striker during his youth. It's a creative solution the boss seems to be genuinely considering - depicting just how desperate the Gunners have suddenly become. But hey, perhaps the novelty will stun opposition defences.

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!