The absence of another natural centre forward aside from Eddie Nketiah in the Arsenal Dubai training camp squad was a rather interesting decision on Mikel Arteta's behalf.
Although, as things turn out, there wasn't much the Gunners' manager could do. Already without Gabriel Jesus, initially because of a World Cup call-up, the Spaniard is now facing the prospect of not being able to call upon his first-choice striker for three months in the worst-case scenario.
Whilst Nketiah is guaranteed to get a run in the Arsenal side whilst the Brazil international recovers, there are not many options beyond the Hale End graduate in terms of natural strikers and that was made even more evident when the 27-man squad for the Dubai training camp was revealed over the weekend.
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Following the decision to loan out Folarin Balogun to Ligue 1 side Reims in the summer transfer window, there was an opportunity for one of Arsenal's academy prospects to claim the role of third-choice striker this season behind Jesus and Nketiah. One look at the substitutes bench for the Europa League game against FK Bodo/Glimt effectively confirmed Khayon Edwards was the chosen one.
Called up to a senior matchday squad for the first time that evening, ironically the 19-year-old was a replacement for Jesus who didn't travel to Norway and Arteta may have been looking to repeat the trick again, well at least for the trip to Dubai as the Brazilian wasn't expected to be available regardless.
However, the Spaniard has been denied that chance with Edwards taking to social media last week to confirm he will be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future after undergoing surgery: "Successful operation, road to recovery," he wrote on Instagram. "Back soon! Thank you for all the kind messages, I’ll be back on the grass soon."
It remains to be seen when Edwards will be back on grass, but the Dubai training camp has come too soon for his return.
Edwards joined Arsenal aged five, and year on year he has developed a reputation for being a clinical centre-forward as he looks to emulate fellow Hale End graduates such as Nketiah, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe by breaking into the first-team at some point in the future.
Although, there was a strong possibility that he could have departed the club in the summer transfer window as football.london understands both Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion made approaches to the teenager towards the end of last season, with his deal set to expire.
Thankfully, Edwards stayed put and he went on to sign his first professional contract with Arsenal: "I'm very delighted to have signed my first professional contract," he said. "I've worked hard for this moment. It's been a very important season for me, but now it's time to step up and prove what I've proved time and time again."
Had it not been for this injury setback, Edwards may have received another opportunity to impress Arteta in Dubai, but as things have turned out his unfortunate absence squad points towards the Spaniard experimenting with a few alternatives over the next week or so as he awaits an official update on Jesus' injury.
If the behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford is any indication then youngster Amario Cozier-Duberry, who replaced Nketiah at half-time, could do so again against Lyon and AC Milan. Although, he's naturally a winger just like Nathan Butler-Oyedeji and Charles Sagoe Jr.
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