Arsenal came into 2022 with their tail between their legs, buoyed by a renewed sense of both purpose and optimism.

However, as supporters at N5 will be quick to tell you, the roof at the Emirates Stadium can cave in as quick as you can say Edu.

The Brazilian technical director is currently taking a considerable amount of flack from the fanbase in Islington and it's hardly a surprise when you consider the position the Gunners find themselves in.

Cast your minds back just a matter of weeks and it looked as though Arsenal were in the driving seat to seal a top-four place.

They had won five games on the spin in all competitions and headed towards the New Year looking rather rosy.

However, 2022 has been desperately unkind to Arteta and his team. They are yet to win this year, have scored just once for their troubles and have been dumped out of both domestic cup competitions. All hope of silverware has been evaporated and their transfer plans for January have been thrown into disarray.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exile from the team initially appeared to be a masterstroke but it is now biting Arteta where it hurts most; results on the pitch.

Long-term, it's a decision that's proving detrimental to Arsenal and until they sign a new forward, it will continue to be the elephant in the room.

Alexandre Lacazette has benefitted the club's young players phenomenally well, complementing Emile Smith Rowe, Buyako Saka and Gabriel Martinelli's pace. Yet, when the big moment arrives, the Frenchman is often found wanting.

You cannot fault Lacazette's determination, nor can you fault his will. What you can criticise, however, is his ability in front of goal.

The striker latched onto a lovely ball over the top from Albert Sambi Lokonga against Liverpool in midweek, only to send his effort haplessly over the bar. Then again, when a big opportunity came against Burnley, he failed to take it. Smith Rowe darted to the byline and then pulled the ball back for his forward but a simple tap in was fired wide of the far post.

Arsenal may have games in hand but a place in the Champions League next season is now out of their hands.

What makes the situation even more frustrating is that a move for Dusan Vlahovic - the key missing piece of the jigsaw - is now unlikely to arrive in January.

As a result, Arteta and Edu will need to consider alternatives. Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad is under consideration, as too is Everton livewire Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Yet, if the club wants to continue their youthful revolution, signing RB Salzburg's Karim Adeyemi could bear fruit.

Arsenal were linked with a move for the 20-year-old late last year and it's thought he could set the club back €40m (£34m), considerably cheaper than any deal for Vlahovic this winter.

The young attacker may not boast the power or aggression of the Fiorentina striker, but his left foot is just as dangerous and he's a very tricky customer to deal with.

Adeyemi is currently enjoying a breakthrough campaign in Austria, starring for the same team and in the same division that Erling Haaland enjoyed so much success in and made his name.

The former has 14 goals in 17 league matches this term, taking his tally in all competitions for the campaign to an impressive 18 strikes.

That kind of composure in front of goal is what Arsenal are desperately missing right now and given his potential, he'd be a wonderful acquisition to Arteta's side.

Two appraisals from talent scout, Jacek Kulig, perfectly summarise Adeyemi's qualities. Taking to Twitter at the start of the term, he said that the German was having an "atomic" campaign.

Then, in September, Kulig commented: "Pace, acceleration, movement, flair, agility. Top. He's such a nightmare for defenders."

All of that should be music to the ears of Arsenal supporters, especially when you compare him to Lacazette, a striker who isn't as mobile as he once was, somebody who lacks flair, agility and the prospect of tormenting centre-backs.

Thus, if Vlahovic cannot be brought to the Emirates, it's Adeyemi who Arsenal's hierarchy must consider instead.

AND in other news, "My information is": Ornstein drops huge Arsenal transfer claim, fans will be buzzing...