It means Arteta must get creative once again and, essentially, turn to his fifth option to lead the line. Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling can play as a striker but, on the evidence of Sunday, Martinelli should get the nod.

Arteta sounds like someone who knows what needs to be done at Arsenal, now the onus is on him and the club's top brass to do it

Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal started this season aware they were "super short" in squad depth and possessed several players at risk of injury but "couldn't do anything about it."