The number 14 shirt is an important one to Arsenal supporters thanks to its current and previous incumbents.
For fans of a certain generation, it will always be tied to Thierry Henry, though Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has done his best to make the number his own with 61 goals in fewer than 100 games for the Gunners.
With the former Borussia Dortmund forward's future up in the air, as he enters the final year of his contract, though, there might come a time for Mikel Arteta to consider who might be in line to succeed the Gabonese international in wearing the iconic number - and there are a few interesting contenders.
Thomas Partey
Despite the recent history of the number, Arsenal’s next 14 doesn’t have to be an attack-minded player. Indeed, back in the 1997/98 double-winning season, the number was worn by non-scoring defender Martin Keown.
Partey has been strongly linked with a move to North London, with Arsenal understood to be keen on meeting the Ghanaian’s release clause of just shy of £50m. Recently, they have been handed a boost with the suggestion that the defensive midfielder, who played his 100th La Liga game for Atletico Madrid this season, is open to a move to the club.
If they do lose Aubameyang, then handing his number to a marquee signing would be one way to give a statement of intent that they’re still looking to kick on.
Jonathan David
Of course, if an attacking recruit is to be the leading candidate, David has the goods to develop into a strong number 14, especially in the context of Arsenal’s past.
The Canadian, who has mentioned wanting to play in the Premier League at some point in his career, has been prolific at a young age, scoring 30 goals in 60 Belgian top-flight games for Gent and netting five times as his club reached the knockout stages of the Europa League. Arsenal aren’t the only club mentioned in connection with the 20-year-old, who has 11 goals in 12 senior international appearances, but his talent is not in doubt.
football.london understands the Gunners have placed David on their wishlist as they look to find a successor to Mesut Ozil, with Orkun Kokcu another player admired by Emirates scouts.
Before Aubameyang’s arrival, Arsenal’s number 14 shirt was worn by Theo Walcott, a prodigiously talented youngster with a place in the first team for years to come. Sense a pattern here?
Gabriel Martinelli
Another option is to promote from within, and Martinelli's breakthrough season has shown how willing he is to take responsibility despite his young age and relative lack of experience.
After beginning the campaign without a competitive minute of European football to his name, the Brazilian has stepped up in a big way, scoring 10 goals in all competitions and chipping in with a handful of assists. That form has earned him a maiden call-up to Brazil’s under-23 squad, and a senior international debut could be on the horizon if he continues at this rate.
Considering Martinelli’s pre-Arsenal career had consisted solely of cup games and regional competitions for Ituano, there’s no guessing how much further he’s capable of developing. In the long run, this doesn’t sound like someone who should be wearing a number down in the 30s, does it?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Of course, there is a notable alternative we need to acknowledge, namely that Aubameyang stays and Arsenal have no need to seek out a replacement for the iconic shirt.
"If I was a coach I'd be saying: ‘Don't sell Aubameyang at any price, we need to recruit, bring players through the academy and keep our best players’," former Arsenal captain Tony Adams has said.
If Aubameyang decides he wants to stick around and help Arteta’s project in north London, and signs a new deal to that end, the future of the number 14 shirt will no longer be a concern.
