Is the lack of excitement surrounding Ricky Alvarez’s transfer to Arsenal justifiable?

Whilst some Arsenal fans have treated the potential signing of Ricky Alvarez from Velez with a degree of trepidation others have voiced their outright disappointment. After the dissatisfaction of last season I’m sure most fans were expecting Arsene Wenger to bring in experienced players who could have an automatic effect on Arsenal’s future. In this respect, the news that Ricky Alvarez is set to become the Gunner’s first big money move of the summer is unlikely to placate fans.

According to Wikipedia (bastion of truth) the 23-year-old played his first professional game in 2008. Unfortunately he suffered a serious knee ligament injury that saw him out of the game for a long time. Given that his breakthrough into the Velez team only really came in 2010, this is hardly a man with much experience. Of course, lack of experience can be made up for by some extent by ability.

But with questions still remaining over the youngster’s ability, the jury is still out on whether he’ll be a good signing.

He’s certainly a player with potential, but this potential has yet to be backed up on a statistical level. With a reported 5 goals in 42 games, it’s unclear what would attract Wenger to finalise any potential move. When you consider still that he’s proven to be rather injury-prone in the past, it’s understandable that some fans are disappointed.

Of course, if you adapt this standard for every signing, you might well have claimed that Thierry Henry wasn’t up to the job when he first signed for Arsenal. Arsene Wenger has an incredible track-record over the years when it comes to unearthing talent the world-over.

As for those who say that Arsenal need experience, I’d respond that this is one area in the squad that wouldn’t benefit from adding a ‘veteran’. The Gunners already have Samir Nasri (for the time being) Andrey Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky and even Theo Walcott who has an impressive amount of games under his belt for a player his age. Having youngsters like Alvarez and Ryo Miyaichi on the books to challenge these more established players can only be beneficial.

Whilst the signing may be bemusing for Arsenal fans at the moment, it’s sure to make much more sense in the context of the Gunner’s overall summer transfer workings. It’s too early to be underwhelmed, there’s still a long way to go and you can bet that Wenger isn’t resting on his laurels.

If Alvarez does agree terms, he’ll doubtless do so with the full support of the Arsenal faithful. All that remains to be seen is if Arsene and his network of scouts have unearthed another special talent.

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