Mikel Arteta refuses to rule out the use of a defender as a number 9 amid the crisis of the Arsenal striker, and promises to be creative 'after Kai Havertz's injury

Mikel Arteta has been forced to think out of the box in the midst of the Arsenal attack injuries.

Everton's last minute draw on Wednesday has left the Gunners seven points outside the leaders of the Liverpool League while looking to close the gap with 14 remaining games in the race for the title.

However, the club received a significant blow earlier this week when it was revealed that Kai Hvertz suffered a serious hamstring injury during the club's weather training camp in Dubai.

Well located sources indicated that the injury will result in Havertz spending the rest of the campaign out.

The news comes when Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus remain without being available for injuries.

Speaking before the Arsenal trip to King Power Stadium to face Leicester on Saturday, Arteta insisted that he is considering all the options available to lead his line.

Mikel Arteta has not ruled out playing a defender in the midst of club injuries

Kai Hvertz has been marginalized by the rest of the campaign with an injury to the hamstrings

Arteta admitted that Riccardo Calafiori could serve as a striker in the absence of German

The legend of gunners Martin Keown questioned whether the height and presence of Riccardo Calafiori could turn it into an adequate substitute in advance.

“Well, it has been done in the past,” said Arteta in TNT Sports.

'Obviously they have this capacity, because they become a threat, especially when the context of the game is very density in the box against low blocks.

“So it's an option we have.”

Calafiori has already demonstrated its versatility in northern London this season, having completed the return center in addition to playing on its preferred left side of the defense.

During his time in Rome, the 22 -year -old was occasionally deployed as a left midfielder, but had never played before at the top level.