Two things are certain to happen at Arsenal this summer. Scenario
A: Arsene Wenger leaves Arsenal, leaving behind a squad in desperate need of
repair. Scenario B: Arsene Wenger stays at Arsenal, and goes into another
summer with a squad in desperate need of repair. Either way, Arsenal are in
need of a seriously impressive transfer window if they want to sustain a title
challenge and progress beyond the last 16 stage of the Champions League. Signing
a promising young attacking midfielder from the football league won’t cut it
this time. One signing would be perfect for Arsenal this summer: Everton’s want-away
striker Romelu Lukaku. The young Belgian has expressed a desire for Champions League
football, and if there’s anything Arsenal know how to do, its qualify for the
Champions League. If they make that happen for another season, then the Lukaku
transfer needs to happen.
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| Sulking Sanchez - off in the summer? |
Arsenal DESPERATELY need a top-quality frontman in their
ranks. Giroud is a 10-15 a season striker at best and has shown in his time at
The Emirates that he’s not good enough to lead Arsenal’s front line for a whole
season. Danny Welbeck is too injury prone to be relied upon, Theo Walcott still
can’t decide if he wants to play on the wing or through the middle, and Alexis
Sanchez looks like he doesn’t want to be there anymore. Oh, and Lucas Perez is
there as well. Unless Wenger is harbouring unwavering faith in Yaya Sanogo, up
top remains a key area which Arsenal need to strengthen. Compare Arsenal’s
situation to other number 9’s in the league’s top 6; United have Ibrahimovic,
Chelsea have Diego Costa, Spurs have Harry Kane, and City have Aguero. Arsenal are
highlighted as the odd team out. Who better to help them compete than a proven
20 goal a season Premier League striker?
As well as the practical applications of signing Lukaku, it
would be a signing that makes a statement for the club. Arsenal would finally
be taking a big player from a rival, instead of seeing their prized assets
leave for league rivals. The likes of Robin Van Persie, Samir Nasri and
Emmanuel Adebayor have left Arsenal to strengthen other top 4 rivals. Three of
their marquee signings of the last few years, Ozil, Sanchez, and Cech, were
undoubtedly top quality signings, but they were just cast offs deemed no longer
crucial for bigger clubs. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea weren’t hurt by
losing those players. In the entire Arsenal squad, only three players have been
signed from fellow Premier League clubs – Cech, Debuchy and Welbeck. Cech and
Welbeck were surplus to requirements at their respective clubs, and Debuchy has
joined the Mancunian in spending more time in the treatment room than on the
pitch. Signing Lukaku would be a timely reminder to the rest of the Premier League
that they are still a big club, capable of attracting big players at their
peak.
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| 21 goals in the Premier League - league's best |
A big signing like Lukaku may even go some way to repairing
the disconnect between the club and its supporters. The volatility of the
supporters has reached new heights this season – the conflicting banners at the
Hawthorns recently confirmed the unrest displayed so often on Arsenal Fan TV
this year. Lukaku’s signing could go some way to appeasing supporters – whether
Arsene Wenger signs him or not.
Would Lukaku fit Arsenal’s style of play? Who cares – make him
fit. He’s physical, quick, strong, good in the air, clinical, young, and
adapted to the Premier League – there can’t possibly be any boxes left to tick
off. Any side in the top 6 could would be improved by Lukaku – Arsenal more so
than most.
What used to be a top 4 in England is now a top 6, possibly
7. If arsenal don’t want to become the club lost in the shuffle, then Romelu
Lukaku is the type of signing they need.
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