Emiliano Buendía strikes at the death as Aston Villa stun Arsenal
Aston Villa delivered a major jolt to the Premier League title race as Emiliano Buendía struck deep into stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday.
Arsenal could call up young stars to fill in for injured forwards
With Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka also sidelined, Mikel Arteta faces a shortage of attacking options, particularly in central positions.
With the transfer window closed, Arsenal's best solutions may come from within. Two promising forwards from the U21 squad, Khayon Edwards and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, could be called upon to step up.
Edwards, 21, has impressed in Premier League 2 this season, scoring seven goals in 10 matches. However, he is yet to make a senior appearance for Arsenal.
The striker was prolific at youth level, netting 16 goals in 16 matches for the U18s, but struggled during a loan spell at Leyton Orient last season, failing to score in seven League One appearances.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Butler-Oyedeji has been training with the first team in Dubai.
Primarily a left winger, he can also play centrally and has recorded seven goals and six assists in Premier League 2 this season.
He made his senior debut in January, playing one minute against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
Arteta now faces a crucial decision on whether to integrate these youngsters into the first-team squad.
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Mikel Arteta has said that Aston Villa's blistering run of form has made them genuine contenders in the Premier League title race, as Arsenal prepare for a high-stakes trip to Villa Park.
Gabriel Jesus weighs January exit after falling down Arsenal's attacking pecking order
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Mikel Arteta 'worried' as Arsenal suffer new injury blows in Brentford win
Mikel Arteta admitted he felt "worried" after Arsenal extended their Premier League lead but collected yet more injury problems in a controlled 2-0 win over Brentford at the Emirates.