Mikel Arteta hinted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be returning to the Arsenal line-up anytime soon, as his back-ups continue to make an impact.
The 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Sunderland marked the fourth consecutive match the former skipper has missed since being stripped of the armband.
Aubameyang was relieved of the captaincy after what the club described as a breach of disciplinary rules in the build-up to the league game with Southampton.
Since being made unavailable for selection, the Gunners have won four on the spin scoring 14 goals and conceding just twice in the process.
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In his absence, Arteta has seen a number of forwards come to the fore including youngsters Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.
Martinelli has found the net four times and registered two assists in his last six Premier League matches, while Nketiah blew Sunderland away with a devastating hat-trick.
His treble, which all came within the first hour, means he now has five goals in just three games in the competition this season.
Like Aubameyang, Nketiah’s future remains up in the air, with the academy graduate having rejected a contract proposal due to a lack of minutes in Arteta’s senior squad.
But speaking after his heroics against the Black Cats, the Arsenal boss said he will continue to get more chances with Aubameyang unlikely to be drafted in imminently.
Asked if the ex-skipper’s situation could help him, Arteta said: “Yes. Recently he’s played more minutes than in the past and we’re going to need him and he’s going to play more minutes.”
Nketiah will become a free agent at the end of the season and his manager made no secret that he wants him to stay at the Emirates.
He added: “I tell you every day that we want to keep Eddie. We see how he trains, that’s what he does every day, he works so hard and puts the ball in the net every session.
“I am really delighted with him. Every time we have needed him he has always responded.
"The way we planned the squad and the way his situation looked in the window, he had a lot of options to go and we thought that was probably the best way to go.
"But the way we assembled the squad the situation changed and he decided to stay and it was hard to find minutes for him. But he’s finding the space right now and is using his minutes really well.”
The 22-year-old was coy on his own situation, admitting that his decision will hinge on whether he can play regularly or not.
"This competition has given me opportunities to play," he said. "I’m desperate to play football, every player wants to play. All I can do is work hard and it will work itself out."
