While the vast majority of Arsenal fans have our fingers and toes crossed that we will soon be seeing the France international striker Karim Benzema running out on to the Emirates stadium pitch in the famous red and white shirt, there is no guarantee that he will be leaving Real Madrid at all.
And meanwhile the other potentially available strikers are being snapped up by other clubs around Europe, including our Premier League rivals, such as Liverpool completing the transfer of Benteke, which I am not happy about. Even if we do not get Benzema this summer though, it is an out and out centre forward that most of us are looking for.
Basically a replacement for Olivier Giroud who came in for his fair share of criticism after the West Ham defeat. But I think that was unfair on the big man as he did not miss a load of chances but was starved of any decent service.
That is why I wonder whether the words of our former strike star Thierry Henry, reported by the Daily Star, on the subject of the imminent transfer of Pedro Rodriguez from Barcelona to Man United should be a concern. He thinks the move will be great for United as the Spaniard is the perfect player to have out wide.
Henry said, “Manchester United will be getting an excellent player if they can complete the signing of Pedro.
“He was the perfect team-mate for me at Barcelona because his understanding of wing play was second to none.
“No one was better at applying pressure from out wide. It is a position that is in his DNA.
“It’s been drilled into him by a lifetime at the Nou Camp and why I believe he will be such an important acquisition for United.”
So if the former Gunner is right, can someone please explain to me why Wenger did not go for Pedro? It’s not as if we are snided out with top class wingers is it? And with Giroud’s ability in the air and as a target man, would it not be a good idea to utilise the wide areas more?