Replacing Robin Van Persie was always going to be a struggle. We all knew that much was true. But given that Arsene Wenger knew Lukas Podolski would be played out wide (as opposed to up front) couldn’t he have done more to ensure Arsenal’s success?
In essence, Arsene Wenger sold Robin Van Persie for £24m and replaced him with Olivier Giroud (£12m approx). Naturally, the Frenchman, who has a crushing weight of expectation on his shoulders, has struggled.
Goals against Coventry City (a dainty chip over an onrushing keeper) and West Ham (smashed it in from a few yards out) have done little to convince fans that he’s a long-term solution. Indeed, the majority of Arsenal fans will be hoping that one of Arsene Wenger’s priorities this January is to go out and buy another striker.
Which brings me to this rumour, courtesy of French source Les Transferts, that Arsenal are keen on Valencia’s ace striker, Roberto Soldado. The Spaniard is, to my mind, a player that the Gunners should have snapped up last summer. Let’s hope they get a second bite at the apple.
After failing to make it at Real Madrid, Soldado moved to La Liga side Getafe, where he managed to score 29 goals in 60 appearances. This goal-scoring form saw him earn a move to Valencia, where to date, he has scored 55 goals in 99 appearances.
He’s a natural goal-scoring talent and at 27-years-old, he’s just about to enter his peak. Arsene Wenger proved last summer that he’s not just looking for young players by signings Podolski, Giroud and Santi Cazorla. Pursuing Soldado would represent another step in the right direction. He’s an experienced forward, with plenty of pedigree, who has earned a shot with a big club.
Best of all, Roberto Soldado would not break the bank. He’s valued at around £16m, which strikes me as something of a bargain, given his consistent goal-scoring form. Could he end up being another Santi Cazorla-esque bargain signing for the Gunners?
The player himself, who has been unable to hold down a place in the Spanish national side may fancy a move to a more high-profile club. What’s more, I’m sure Arsenal could afford to pay him higher wages than Valencia are currently offering. In almost every regard, this looks to be a fantastic potential signing for the Gunners.
What’s your take? Would Roberto Soldado be a smart addition at the Emirates?
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I disagree Giroud’s form has been good his movement excellent, lets judge him by the end of the season if he hasn’t scored twenty odd goals by then, then he has had a poor season but until then lets wait and see oh you forgot he also scored his first goal for france against spain last week. Another striker is a must and probably a defender who can cover two or three positions in January. midfield we seem to have quite a few options it might be that walcott will be given a chance in the strikers position giving eisfeld or gnarbry the chance to come in to.
What a poor article. We haven’t struggled for goals this season, and most Arsenal fans I have spoken to are positive about Olivier Giroud coming good. He’s not had a bad start and I have no idea why you have concluded that he’s struggled.
I think any striker would be coming in as back up for Giroud.
Do you honestly, for one split second, believe that Arsenal will ever come anywhere near signing Soldado? This site is ruined by biased unrealistic articles. Get a grip, Cloke.
the problem is not that O.G is not good if we ne a number 9 just for more goals and R. Soldado is the right player to fit the bill. is prolific natural goal scorer
get Soldado Arsenal will feared again…
this is crap… we are not scoring coz we are not creating. we create nothing from the wings… only santi is a creative player in our 3 man midfield… we are slow to switch from attack to defence. Diaby did a good job in the few games he played but since hes gone we have been crap. We dont have a natural winger. Gerviniho, walcott, Podolski are all strikers… Ryo and AOC are still very young. We need 2 out and out wingers we need someone to replace diaby and we also need a back up goliee.