Arsenal recall youngster from loan spell in Germany amid striker shortage

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is facing a potential striker crisis in the coming months, with a number of his first choice goal scorers all facing uncertain futures at the club. 

Former club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was dropped from the club’s first team squad last month after a disciplinary breach and has not since returned.

The Gabonese international will now travel to Cameroon to take part in the African Cup of Nations, meaning he will be unavailable for up to a month.

Meanwhile fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette, who has deputised for his teammate since his omission from the Arteta’s squad, is also set to be out of contract in the summer and could agree a pre-contract agreement with any foreign side, or even make a permanent move, as early as this month.

Arteta’s other striking options, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli, have endured differing fortunes this term and will likely face different futures.

Martinelli has been used relatively frequently when fit by his boss, and has repaid some of his faith by scoring three goals in his last four Premier League starts.

The Brazilian is believed to be part of the club’s long-term plans, while Eddie Nketiah has struggled this season and is expected to leave the club this month having played just 38 minutes of top flight football this season.

Now, Arteta has looked to his academy for possible options as cover, recalling young striker Nikolaj Moller.

As per Football London, the 19-year-old has returned from a loan spell with German side Viktoria Koln, initially to join up with the Gunners’ under-23s squad.

The Swedish striker joined Arsenal in 2020 having impressed for former side Malmo, and has been equally as impressive for the English side’s academy.

He was loaned to Germany over the summer on what was meant to be a season-long deal, and had played regularly in the German third tier during his time there, as well as scoring three times in domestic cups.

While Moller is unlikely to be drafted into the Gunners’ first team squad, he may well be called upon as cover later in the season if Arteta finds himself short of attacking options.