Arsenal manager Unai Emery has no intention of signing a striker during the January transfer window, despite losing Danny Welbeck to a badly broken ankle.
The Gunners have confirmed that their England international forward suffered “significant” damage during a Europa League clash with Sporting.
Welbeck is now facing a long road to recovery, while his contract is also running down, but cover will not be sought over the winter.
Instead, Emery – who has overseen a 15-match unbeaten run across all competitions for his side – is looking to promote from within if Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang need a rest.
Quizzed on whether he will be seeking attacking reinforcements, the Spaniard said: “The first [choice] is to look inside, and we have one striker also who is working well with the under-23s and is improving also, Eddie Nketiah, and he could have chances.
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“But I think it's early for speaking about the possibility [of making signings] in January.”
Nketiah is a highly rated product of Arsenal’s famed academy system.
The 19-year-old has netted six times for the club’s U23 side this season and was handed a senior bow by Arsene Wenger last season, recording his first goals in a Carabao Cup win over Norwich.
He could be handed more first-team opportunities in 2018-19, while the Gunners have the option of recalling Reiss Nelson from a loan spell at Hoffenheim.
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The England U21 international has been starring for the Bundesliga side, finding the target six times in seven appearances, and could prove to be a useful addition if Emery does find himself short of numbers.
For now, though, there are no plans to return the talented teenager to north London.
Emery has said: “At the moment we don't speak about that.
“With Reiss, we are very happy with him at the moment. We follow him every match. We are thinking about how he can help us in the future.
“It is our idea with him [to let him get regular playing time in Germany]. He can take responsibility, minutes and confidence in a team where he can play more. Then the objective is to come back with us and grow with this experience.”
