It’s been a long transfer window for us Gunners. by JH
Whether you are an AKB or WOB. It’s been long.
We need a striker, the fans know it, pundits know it, Arsene Wenger knows it and hell even Olivier Giroud knows it. But where is the new striker we waited for all summer?
First was Jackson Martinez, we where happy with him, but he left for AC Milan. Without so much as a glance from Wenger. Then the long Benzema saga – will he, won’t he? Turns out – No he won’t!
And then from there, the media didn’t know who to turn to. First came Cavani, but PSG don’t want to sell. Along came Higuain once again, but apparently we don’t want him anymore. Then we get linked with Zlatan, That’s right, the same media who slam Wenger and Arsenal for their wage structure actually claiming we want £300k a week Zlatan…. Sure.
Now the media has decided (and they are probably right) that it is panic buy time. Im sure we’ve all seen the links to Charlie Austin these past few days. Then BANG!!! Pato goes and follows Arsenal on twitter, so he must be coming. And then tonight, reporter Ian Abrahams from Talksport goes ahead and says Callum Wilson may be the guy. Yes Bournemouths Callum Wilson!
Which brings me to what I came to write in the first place….
Just who on earth are Arsenal going to sign? Who is left? Realistically!
With the closure of the German, Spanish, Italian and French windows, there is no time for replacements.
Therefore, Reus, Aubaumeyang, Lewandowski, Muller, Benzema, Lacazette, Icardi none of them will be leaving, as their clubs would have brought in someone to replace them.
So, realistically who can we go for?
Callum Wilson, at 23 years of age, he is developed enough to start, whilst also having time to improve, he has already scored 4 this season all coming in his last 2 games, he has decent pace and seems very composed in front of goal and he averages just 2 shots per goal, one big plus about this deal would be that he would not be too expensive, playing for bournemouth I could see him coming for less than £10million. One thing supporting this deal is that they may well have just bought a replacement in Glenn Murray for £5million.
Next we go to Pato. Seems like he has been around forever but he is just 25, but, the links to Pato in my eyes are ridiculous, he followed Arsenal on twitter then he must be coming right?
Don’t get me wrong, when he burst onto the scene at the San Siro I would have took him in a heartbeat, but then injuries played a huge part in his career for a couple of years and he moved back to Brazil in 2013, since then he hasn’t even hit double figures once, in Brazil, if he can’t hit 10 in Brazil how on earth is he going to improve our first 11? He Won’t.
Next, Gabriel Barbosa (fans of Football Manager will know him) he is 19, small, quick, highly skillful, certainly sounds like an Arsenal player. But I think Wenger wants a big guy up top, someone to hold the ball up when needed, hence why Giroud starts the majority of the time over TW. Also the likelihood of getting a teenager from Brazil over the line on deadline day is slim. Very slim.
Bas Dost, not really talked about, but he struck 16 times in 17 starts from just 43 shots in the Bundesliga last year, he is very tall, very good in the air and showed ruthlessness in front of goal last year. Wolfsburg also signed a new striker in Max Kruse this summer. One big problem with this deal would be Kevin De Bruyne. Wolfsburg don’t want to sell their stars, it took ridiculous £54million to get De Bruyne, they will not let another go.
I dont think I want to start the Higuain conversation. I’ll just say Wenger will not pay his asking price.
Charlie Austin, now he is an interesting one, when I first heard this rumour I thought “Oh God NO”. But I have been thinking, sure he is not the big name we want, but a big name doesnt usually become one until they move to a big club. I can’t think of any big names at little clubs. Austin is 26 so he is not old but he isnt young either, he is unlikely to improve much.
Last year he was outscored by only Diego Costa of Chelsea and of course Sergio Aguero. His first season in the top league and he was outscored by only the number 9 of the eventual champions and the best number 9 on the planet, not bad.
I believe he is much more clinical than Giroud, he also likes to shoot from outside of the box (something we could do with) he is also very good in the air.
£15million would get him, it would be a gamble, but if it doesnt work out i am sure a championship side would take him off our hands for around £10million. And you never know, he may well turn out to be that fox in the box everybody has spoken about for so long.
And then I’m afraid I get stuck, Unless Wenger pulls out an unexpected big name, or a player nobody knows who just clicks. I struggle to see who we will get.
So what do you guys think? If you had to pick from one of Austin, Wilson, Pato or Giroud, Who would you pick to lead our line this year??
And can you think of any other realistic striker targets??
By JonnHirons