When Arsene Wenger sold Robin Van Persie to the Premier League champions to be last summer, he went about replacing him by buying Olivier Giroud.
Giroud was Ligue 1’s top scorer last season, a French international and a powerful presence. What he wasn’t (and still isn’t) however, was a player that was even remotely close to the ability level of the exiting Dutchman. What’s more, he’s not really the kind of player who you would associate with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
The Gunners have never really looked to play with a bulky centre-forward before. Wenger has always tried to make his team play exciting, quick-passing, free-flowing football. Having a big centre-forward is the anathema of this. After all, it gives the midfield and the defence a good reason to start booting the ball long (though it could be argued that Theo Walcott playing in the centre-forward role has the same affect, as the likes of Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere attempt to exploit his pace).
Going for Giroud was a rather un-Arsene like move and in all honesty – it hasn’t worked out. Too often this season, Arsenal have failed to break down teams they really should have done (Southampton, Bradford City, Norwich, etc).
For this season, I’m excited to see Arsenal linked to strongly to Atletico Madrid striker, Adrian Lopez. He’s a player that will fit better into the Arsenal mould than the likes of Olivier Giroud.
The Mail claim that Arsene Wenger has been interested since October and has now stepped up his interest in the January transfer window. It’s believed he’ll cost the club around £15m and for that money, he’d represent good value.
Adrian is a top goal-scoring talent who has been shunned at Madrid this season. He has just two goals in six starts and must be ready for a new challenge.
He’s also versatile. He’s spent some of his career out on the wing and has thus developed trickery, crossing ability and other skills that most centre-forwards don’t usually acquire. This may come in handy for the Gunners should Theo Walcott decide to sign a new deal, as both players will then be able to play out wide or upfront and could both fit in the team.
Signing Adrian Lopez would be a change in direction for Arsene Wenger. A change back to the technically gifted players he used to favour. And who can argue with that?
What’s your take? Would Adrian Lopez be a good signing for Arsenal?
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“Adrian is a top goal-scoring talent ”
Is he?
23 goals from 2005 to when he joined Madrid in 2011.
7 goals in 36 league appearances last season with only 2 assists.
Madrid fans berate him for the amount of chances missed…… 7 goals from 58 shots.
He’s a cheap, out of favor player who will join Arsenal because he can’t gain the reputation and game time anywhere else. Does he want to be in England? When his name Is back in lights, the plane ticket will soon follow.
Note: He did get 11 goals in the Europa league so could be handy If we ever play In that competition (If that’s the change In direction you mean).