Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that his side are in need of reinforcements in the final third during the January transfer window.
The Gunners are working without Gabriel Jesus for the next few months due to knee surgery, opening the door for Eddie Nketiah to start at the tip of the attack.
The 23-year-old has impressed in Jesus's absence with four goals in his last four appearances, including a brace in Monday's 3-0 FA Cup third-round win over Oxford United.
However, Nketiah now represents Arsenal's only senior fit option in the number nine position, leading to the expectation that Arsenal will bolster their ranks this month.
Speaking to reporters following Tuesday's cup success at the Kassam Stadium, Arteta conceded that having only one fit striker was a "problem" and he expressed a desire to bring new faces to the club this month.
"The problem is we have only one! And to go for that many months until Jesus is back is not easy," Arteta said at his post-game press conference.
"But we have to get the most out of the players that we have at the moment and if we can have some reinforcements - great."
Arsenal appear to have lost out on the loan signing of Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix to Chelsea, who are also reportedly attempting to hijack the Gunners' move for Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Nevertheless, Arteta has waxed lyrical about Nketiah for the way that the Englishman has stepped up to the plate since Christmas after witnessing his two goals against Oxford, which came after Mohamed Elneny's second-half header broke the deadlock.
Nketiah firstly skipped past goalkeeper Edward McGinty to slot home after Fabio Vieira's pass before delicately chipping the Oxford goalkeeper for his second, although he appeared to have been in an offside position when receiving the ball from Gabriel Martinelli.
"He showed great composure. He is a great finisher and the timing of his runs as well. The decision making to wait to the last moment shows his quality. It's not only that - his understanding, his work rate I think is getting better and better. And I'm really happy with him," Arteta said of Nketiah.
"Obviously, he's been waiting for this moment. He's been patient and he's had the right mindset to prepare himself for this moment. And that's why I think he looks ready and is performing the way he's performing."
Nketiah has now amassed a total of 30 goals and three assists from 115 appearances in an Arsenal jersey, including seven goals from 23 outings in all competitions during the current campaign.
Arsenal have been rewarded for their midweek endeavours with a fourth-round tie away at Manchester City, who sit five points adrift of Arteta's men at the top of the Premier League table.
Arteta's side are next in action away to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's Premier League derby. body check tags ::
