Arsenal are willing to progress through the final months of the season without adding a striker to their ranks, after the club opted against making an addition on transfer deadline day.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's fall from grace has been dramatic and ultimately led to the Gabonese leaving the Emirates Stadium for Barcelona in a free transfer on deadline day.
That has left manager Mikel Arteta with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as his only two recognised options up front.
It is a risk, but one the Gunners are clearly willing to take. Although many supporters suggested that a new striker was an absolute must, perhaps Manchester City and Liverpool offer an insight into why that is not quite the case.
Pep Guardiola has been working without a recognised striker for the last 18 months, with Sergio Aguero suffering from a number of injuries before departing the club on a free transfer last summer.
City searched for replacements and attempted to lure Harry Kane but rather than signing any player to fill the void, Guardiola pressed on and his club are still searching for a player who is suitable.
At Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp has worked without a recognised no.9 for most of his tenure, having converted Roberto Firmino from a no.10 into a false nine of sorts upon his arrival.
Players such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota have helped with how the Reds score goals, but Liverpool have largely been without a true striker who finishes moves as a focal point of attacks.
City and Liverpool both place as emphasis on the system and the team working as one unified entity. Defending is a team responsibility and finding the net at the opposite end of the pitch is the same.
Arsenal aren't quite at the level of City or Liverpool just yet, but they are working towards a comparable end product under Arteta, with the Spaniard trying to instil a similar mentality into his own players at the Emirates.
Lacazette and Nketiah will continue to take to the field but if they both suffer absences at the same time, Arteta could seek inspiration from Guardiola and Klopp by fostering a team culture rather than relying on a traditional marksman.
The Gunners can add a fixed striker in the summer and make sure that whoever signs is perfect for the job, and in the meantime, they can refine their ability to operate as one team unit.
