Mikel Arteta has a huge dilemma as Arsenal's golden talent shines in Chelsea masterclass

The lack of depth in the Arsenal team throughout January was caused by a number of factors both out of the club’s control and self-inflicted.

Arsenal lost Mohamed Elneny, Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe to the African Cup of Nations, Granit Xhaka was out with Covid prior to earning a suspension and Partey soon followed with a red card of his own against Liverpool. Ainsley Maitland-Niles was also prematurely sent out on loan.

This culminated in a winless month, two cup eliminations and a drab 0-0 home league draw with Burnley. Xhaka and Partey’s absence was felt but the lack of options from the bench, or so it seemed, hamstrung Mikel Arteta’s choice.

However, perhaps the Spaniard missed a trick with his depth options. In numerous games, Arteta included a number of youth players in his squad due to a lack of numbers.

Mika Biereth, Charlie Patino, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Ryan Alebiosu and Omari Hutchinson were all included in the winter month.

Yet Arteta decided in all fixtures to give Eddie Nketiah an opportunity from the bench and refrained from calling on the kids. Only Patino earned an appearance against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup exit.

Nketiah will leave Arsenal in the summer when his contract expires, despite persistent attempts to get the 22-year-old to renew his deal.

Arteta is a big fan of the player but Nketiah is determined to make his way as a starting striker. Something which has been near-impossible during his time in north London.

However, Arteta has arguably been shown to have overlooked some of the options at his disposal during the failed matches. Especially against Burnley where only Nketiah came on despite the Gunners' desperate need for a goal.

Arsenal’s under 23s played Chelsea in the PL2