Arsenal had a mixed January transfer window, with Arteta appearing to under-strengthen his squad ahead of the race to finish in the Premier League's top four.
Arsenal has been thrown into another transfer crisis, but this time it is entirely due to Mikel Arteta's failure to correct a major blunder.
The Gunners had a disappointing January transfer window, with their only additions being two MLS players who will not join their new team until at least the summer.
They did have some success in bringing in fringe members of Arteta's squad, bringing in a total of six Players are leaving the Emirates Stadium on free transfers or on loan.
However, with Florian Balogun loaned to Middlesbrough and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joining Barcelona, Arteta's squad appears to be woefully short in key areas, particularly at striker.
Arsenal is in a striker crisis as a result of Mikel Arteta's transfer blunders.
The only two senior strikers left at the Emirates are Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette, but neither has proven capable of scoring the goals required by a successful team.
Injuries to either of them could be fatal to Arsenal's chances of finishing in the top four.
The Gunners are currently sixth in the Premier League, but with a game in hand, they are only two points behind Manchester United.
Although Aubameyang was unlikely to play for Arsenal again, his presence in the background provided some solace in the event of an injury.
The deal's deadline-day nature left Arsenal with insufficient time to find a replacement, exposing a major flaw in Arteta's transfer planning.
Arsenal have signed three goalkeepers, seven defenders, and four midfielders in that time, but not a single striker.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been granted permission to join Barcelona.
That strategy has resulted in the Gunners' squad looking lopsided, with the defense completely revamped while the attacking group remains undermanned.
The crisis has been brewing for some time, but it appears to have escaped Arteta and Edu's full attention.
Arsenal did make a January move for Dusan Vlahovic, but no other realistic targets emerged after it became clear that the Serbian would be joining Juventus.
It demonstrates a remarkable lack of foresight on the part of Arsenal's recruitment chiefs, leaving the Premier League club exposed.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are Arteta's only remaining strikers.
It's a crisis that, arguably, should have been resolved a long time ago, with Arteta avoiding the position for five consecutive windows.
Arsenal's lack of forward options is exemplified by Aubameyang's arrival at the Nou Camp.
And, with Arsenal's striker crisis on full display, Arteta will only have himself to blame if injuries strike and he is left with no clear option at striker.
The Spaniard has been left hoping that Lacazette and Nketiah can stay fit for the rest of the season if Arsenal's hopes of finishing in the top four are to be realized.
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