Emmanuel Petit has warned his former club Arsenal that a lack of depth in forward areas could bring a halt to their superb start to the season.
The Gunners sit top of the Premier League after 11 matches, with their draw against Southampton over the weekend just the second game they have dropped points in this season.
One factor behind that impressive run has been Mikel Arteta’s reliance on a core group of players, with eight members of the Arsenal squad starting every league match so far, while Martin Odegaard has missed just one game.
With Emile Smith Rowe playing only 47 minutes of Premier League football this campaign, and suffering a groin injury that will keep him out until after the World Cup, there has been no rotation in forward areas with Arteta consistently turning to Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
The trio have alos been involved at various points in the Europa League campaign, raising questions about fatigue after the frustrating draw at Southampton came after a fortunate win against Leeds.
While Petit believes the Arsenal first team is good enough to compete on all fronts, the former Arsenal midfielder is concerned a lack of alternative attacking options could prove costly.
“Leaving St Mary’s with a point isn’t a bad result - you haven’t lost the game and you’re still top of the table,” Petit said via the Metro.
“It’s a great starting eleven Mikel [Arteta] has assembled, but I worry about what happens if one of those players gets injured.
“That’s a big concern for me; that lack of depth. You could see again yesterday, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard are all doing a really great job. But it’s only those four; if one of them gets injured, what options does Arteta have?”
He added: “A couple of younger players from the academy have just signed new contracts, Eddie Nketiah being one. But can you fight for the title or the Champions League with these players if any of those big four names get injured?
“I’m not sure, and I don’t know what the plans are in the next transfer window, but that’s definitely something I would be looking to address.”
