It looks like Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is going to have to get creative when it comes to solving the problem created by Gabriel Jesus' knee surgery.
The Brazilian international looks set to be sidelined for around three months after sustaining the problem while away in Qatar on World Cup duty with the Selecao. Purchased from Manchester City for £45million in the summer, Jesus has had a remarkable impact on Arsenal's forward-line.
Despite netting just five goals in 14 games and without a strike to his name since early October, Jesus has transformed the Gunners and turned Arteta's side into genuine title challengers. Arsenal currently sit pretty at the top of the table, five points ahead of nearest challengers and Jesus' former side City.
The general consensus is that Arsenal will struggle to start the second half of the season as strongly as they finished the first without their talismanic forward with Jesus still recovering after going under the knife.
Arteta will be unable to call upon him for huge fixtures including clashes against City, Tottenham and Manchester United.
In turn, the Spaniard will have to think of ways to try and fill the Jesus-shaped void in his forward-line. The most obvious solution would be to deploy Eddie Nketiah in the same role, though the pressure will be on the Gunners academy graduate after he penned a lucrative new deal last summer.
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The Gunners boss also seemed to hint that wide-man Gabriel Martinelli could be forced to occasionally be deployed in a more central role to deputise for his crocked fellow countryman, with Emile Smith Rowe emerging as a surprise alternative option to Arsenal's forward problem.
"It’s a huge blow for us, obviously," Arteta conceded, addressing Jesus' injury. "He’s such an important player: he’s brought something very different to the team and it’s impossible to replace him.
"But we have other players, other alternatives and we’ll try to get that sorted. The transfer window is another option.
"I think [Jesus] is a unique player but Eddie [Nketiah] has incredible qualities as well for the way we want to play.
"We have other alternatives in that we can play Martinelli up front as well. We are currently a little bit short in terms of upfront positions but getting Emile [Smith Rowe] back is going to be a big one."
Arsenal's next test comes in the form of a Premier League clash at home against West Ham on Boxing Day as they aim to maintain their distance over City for as long as possible.
