Former Arsenal forward Alan Smith believes the Gunners have left themselves a little short following Pierre-Emmerick Aubameyang's departure earlier this week.
The 32-year-old joined La Liga giants Barcelona on Tuesday, ending a turbulent saga after he was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy earlier in the season.
With Mikel Arteta's side missing out on long-term target Dusan Vlahovic, with the Serbian opting for Juventus instead, the Gunners now just have two recognised forward's at the club in Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette.
And with the race for the top four hotting up heading into the business end of the season, Smith believes he needs to see more from one man in particular, if he is to step up and lead the line for Arteta.
Writing for his Sky Sports column, Smith said: ''It should be a chance for Eddie Nketiah. You would imagine he will get more opportunities now than he did previously.
''We will wait and see. It does not seem to me Arteta is at all convinced by him as a starter.
''He's done well in the Carabao Cup and has scored goals, but that's come mainly against clubs in the lower divisions.
''When he has had the chance from the start in the Premier League, he's not really convinced that he is somebody that can lead the line.
''He's a penalty area poacher and you need a little bit more than that as the striker in Arteta's system, especially when you are playing through the middle on your own.'
''He's still got plenty to prove at Arsenal but as to whether he can do that in the next few months, who knows.
''He may be able to do it. He's obviously trying to keep all his options open and make himself a more attractive proposition for clubs in the summer when he is available on a free transfer.''
