Arsenal just about pushed themselves over the line in their semi-final clash with Wigan, but they weren’t helped by the presence of their young, raw, inexperienced striker, Yaya Sanogo.
The Frenchman actually held the ball up pretty well, but he was supremely ineffective in the final third. His touch was lacking, his finishing was non-existent and he looked nervous throughout.
I can’t help but feel that it was too much too soon for the 21-year-old. He’s young enough that he’s still got time to build a career at a top club, but I don’t think he’s mentally capable of leading Arsenal’s line in an important semi-final clash.
Olivier Giroud is a better option, but he too lacks pace and presence in the final third. This is something that Arsene Wenger needs to rectify in the summer transfer market (providing that Wenger is still in charge of the club when the window re-opens).
This brings me to The Mirror‘s claim that Arsenal are interested in Benfica’s well-regarded young striker, Rodrigo Moreno.
The Spanish international is just 23-years-old (two years older than Sanogo, but considerably more experienced) and has scored 16 goals in 34 appearances for Benfica this season.
That’s a superb return – considerably better than the 1 goal in 20 appearances he made whilst on loan with Bolton Wanderers back in 2010.
It’s easy to see why a club like Arsenal might be interested. He’s a goal-scorer with genuine pace, guile and technique. He strikes me as an ideal counter-part to the likes of Olivier Giroud.
The Mirror suggests that Rodrigo would cost Arsenal approximately £28m and that Inter Milan are also interested. That’s a considerable sum of money and some pretty high-calibre competition, but I have to hope that The Gunners stick with this one.
Arsene Wenger needs to add some zip to this area of the pitch and Rodrigo checks that box pretty nicely. A decent striker rarely comes cheap, so perhaps it’s time for Arsenal to start splashing the cash.
What’s your take? Would you like to see this Benfica star move to The Emirates? Can Arsene Wenger beat off competition from Inter Milan?
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No thanks. If he was worth it Wenger would’ve got him when he was available for 10m LAST SUMMER