Mikel Arteta must trust his striker decision despite Arsenal's glaring issues

Mikel Arteta has continued to prove his doubters wrong over the past six months, and the Arsenal boss has the opportunity to do so again.

The Gunners are currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League but have three games in hand over fourth-placed West Ham United.

Arteta’s side have improved significantly this season, and their signings ahead of the start of the season have played a major role in that.

Arsenal spent £150million over the summer to bring a fresh wave of talent to the Emirates Stadium, with those players all being aged 24 and under so are expected to improve and grow.

However, some of Arteta’s acquisitions led many to question the Spaniard, namely Benjamin White from Brighton and Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United, who had just been relegated.

Yet both have been two of the clubs best players so far this campaign.

And with the pressure increasing on the shoulders of Arteta again to sign a striker, the former Arsenal midfielder needs to trust his instinct and use his money elsewhere if he already feels he has a natural centre forward in his ranks.

According to football.london, Gabriel Martinelli has been training as a striker recently and there is uncertainty as to where the Brazilian will play in the long-term.

Martinelli has been deployed as a striker on a few occasions since making the move to North London, though his best position is believed to be on the left-wing so that he is able to cut onto his right foot.

But his clinical edge and desire to run in behind has led many to feel that the 20-year-old could be the man to lead their line for the foreseeable future – especially with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving last month and Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette out of contract at the