One of the key things we learned from Arsenal’s defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday against Manchester United is that the Gunners must & must sign a striker in the January transfer window. Nicklas Bendtner is not by any-stretch-of-imagination is the back-up solution while Arsene Wenger doesn’t consider Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski as out-an-out strikers. It is as simple as that.
In fact, buying a striker was the first priority for Wenger in the summer transfer window. He reportedly tried to sign Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez which suggest that his primary intention was to bolster the strike department.
Arsenal are linked with few strikers like Karim Benzema and Fernando Llorente recently, but how realistic expectations they are is doubtful. Benzema, who has struggled a bit with his form this season, is still the main striker at the Madrid club and unless the Los Blancos land another world class striker, probably the Frenchman won’t be sold.
Likewise, Llorente, who has had a time tough too in Italy, has many potential suitors but recently General Director of Juventus Giuseppe Marotta has ruled out any possible move for the Spaniard.
In such a scenario, it won’t be a bad idea if Arsenal make a serious effort for Chelsea striker Demba Ba, who has struggled for places under Jose Mourinho. The Gunners has been linked with a move for him as well and here are four reasons why a move for him makes sense:
Budget, Low price
The €15m price-tag which I have quoted is taken from ever-reliable transfermarkt.com. The thing is his price is constantly plummeting because he has hardly contributed this season, which is a direct consequence of him finding lack of game time. But if his situation doesn’t improve at Chelsea, which we can guess probably won’t, then by the start of January, this price would further depreciate to less than €10m or even below than that. Bargain?
What Arsenal exactly need in January
They need a quality striker (which Ba is of course) but do they need a striker like Benzema this season to make things complicated for Olivier Giroud who has been one of their best performers? Or, do they need someone who can take a bit of burden from his shoulder, play the odd easy games and most importantly act as a second fiddle without hampering the balance of the team? Do you think either of Llorente or Benzema would accept that role? This is a short-term remedy and certainly Benzema or Llorente are not the right options here.
Is Ba good enough?
Obviously, if he is not, why Arsenal wanted to sign him in the summer transfer window at the first place? Secondly, warming bench/not getting chances doesn’t make somebody a bad player overnight – for that matter, Juan Mata or David Luiz are also struggling for places – does that make them any less talented than those who are starting? Every manager has their own preferences.
And finally, Experience
Rather. Premier League Experience. For the first time in many years, Arsenal are one of the genuine contenders for the Premier League title. In January, will there be any room for experiment? Probably not.
Ba has wealth of Premier League experience under his belt. He is a proven goal scorer and will adjust to the system easily than any other foreign striker.
So, considering all factors, it certainly makes sense to me Arsenal going for Demba Ba in the winter transfer window. Do you agree? Let me know your thoughts below…
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