Arsene Wenger must have known for a long time that he desperately needs to add a striker to his squad.
I’d go as far as to say that he probably knew after Arsenal’s first two games this season (which both finished 0-0).
The Gunners just haven’t been the same deadly force upfront that we’ve been accustomed to over the years. Without their main man Robin Van Persie, the Gunners just can’t seem to produce enough end product.
This combined with defensive weaknesses has seen Arsene Wenger’s side drop to new lows this season.
Still, Wenger opted against signing another striker this January, deciding instead to keep the faith with Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman has recieved mixed reviews this season, but it’s clear he can’t carry Arsenal’s threat on his own.
Wenger should have bought in January, but he’ll have another chance this summer. It’ll be an opportunity to re-build and use the funds brought in from their new commercial deal to build a competitive squad.
But where should he start?
By now Arsenal fans have grown used to hearing their club linked to Fiorentina’s ace forward, Stevan Jovetic. The talented Montenegrin striker has won many plaudits for his all action displays over the last couple of seasons and looks to be set for a move to a big(ger) club.
According to Italian source, Tuttomercato, Arsenal are willing to offer £19.6m to make a deal happen, whilst Fiorentina are holding out for £25.5m. The 23-year-old has also failed to rule out a move to the Premier League:
“It sure is nice when you are interesting big clubs like Arsenal and Manchester City. I’m very comfortable in Italy but the Premier League is at the top of the football world – and perhaps the best. Who knows? Maybe one day I will be playing at one of the English clubs.” (Source: The Metro)
So the player, is open to a move, but Arsenal would have to break their transfer record by around £10m to make a deal happen.
But I’d argue he’d be worth the money. Despite playing as a secondary striker, Jovetic has definitely found his shooting boots over the last couple of years. Last season he scored 14 in 29, this year he has 12 in 27.
And at 23-years-old, he’s only going to get better. He’s got tricks, pace and threat in front of goal. Maybe that makes him worth £25.5m?
What’s your take? Should Arsenal look to close a deal for Stevan Jovetic?
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pls wenger shud do evryting fasta to get dis guy. He’s d solution to d problem we ar avin upfront. Pls! If dre’s any way of reaching to wenger to do evryting possible to lure dis guy fast on tym b4 competition cums in, pls do. He’s a ball joggler n a gud goal scorer. A great finisher wit a high workrate evry match. Pls! Pls! Tell d stuburn prof 2 sign dis guy quick. Up gonnaz!
As good as this lad is im extremely dissapointed we didnt sign Alex PAto from AC Milan. He went for around £12 million back to Brazil. He is the world class striker we need, im sure we could reach an agreement to sign him from Corinthians. His goal against Barcelona in the champions league says it all about this boy.
Pato fantastic player;yes…but he had clearly said he wants to return to brazil….and he has had injury woes so mayb arsenal didnt approach……jovetic is a dyskilful and a decent finisher…not sure whether he can adapt to epl pace though…he was average against england!
Hi,
I’d just like to try & convince you of Stevan Jovetic’s quality because you seem uncertain, so – Allow me:
“not sure whether he can adapt to epl pace though…he was average against england!”
Firstly, You cannot base your opinion of a player on 1 game. Yes, Jovetic had a somewhat quiet game, but he didn’t by any means play badly, he forced saves from Hart & ran at England’s defense a number of times in the second half + Who actually had a great game from either team ? – He did as well as anyone.
Secondly, the game against England was no indicator as to whether “he can adapt to epl pace” as that game was not played at “EPL pace” it was much, much slower & both teams were cagey & conservative knowing they could not afford to lose.
If Jovetic were playing for Arsenal, a team that goes into most games (8/10) expecting to dominate possession & win the game his performances would automatically improve as he’d have more of the ball.
As both a weekly Arsenal & Fiorentina watcher, I can definitely tell you Stevan Jovetic is worth the hype & the money, would fit into Arsenal’s team easily & if he were to stay the 8 years Robin Van Persie stayed, would have a bigger impact overall (More goals & assist, overall)
Have faith, Stevan Jovetic is worth it.
Saw Jovetic against England – he was ok but I expected a bit more from a 25 million pound striker. From what I have seen of Lewandowski I think he looks much better – more robust,skilful and more like van Persie.
Firstly, you cannot definitively judge a players abilities, capabilities & potential on one game – Especailly a game that was as gritty & cagey as Montenegro vs England.
I can understand, that was probably the first time you’ve seen him play & with the £25m release clause you like to see him score a hattrick or something, but one must be realistic.
Stevan Jovetic isn’t a “25 million pound striker” – Because, he isn’t a “Striker” – He’s a No.10.
As for Robert Lewandowski:
“looks much better.”
Lewandowski plays for Dortmund & Jovetic plays for Fiorentina – Dortmund are 2nd in the Bundesliga & Fioretina are 4th in Serie A, Dortmund have a much, much better team than Fiorentina which makes it much easier for Lewandowski to stand out.
While Lewandowski plays alongside world class players (Mario Götze & Marco Reüs) serving him up chance after chance – Jovetic plays with players he’s so much better than meaning he often has to do all the work himself.
“more robust”
Robust ? – That’s a word that should be used to describe Defensive Midfielders – Not strikers, being robust is irrelevant.
“[More] skilful”
This is simply not true – Lewandowski is very much a goal-getting, typical striker that finishes off the attacking moves from the other players.
Stevan Jovetic, as I said often has to do most of the work himself, often drifting deep in order to recieve the ball & start attacks himself – One of his main assets is dribbling & he can beat a player at will, Jovetic is also faster than Lewandowski & has much, much quicker feet.
And finally; “More like Van Persie”
From particularly that comment that indicates to me that you haven’t watched either of these players in the Bundesliga/Serie A.
In terms of statistics (Goals scored) Yes, Lewandowski is “More like Van Persie”
But in terms of style of play & the manner in which they approach a game – Stevan Jovetic is way, way, way “More like Van Persie”
Lewandowski is a typical “No.9” striker.
Van Persie can play as a No.9 or as a No.10 – So can Jovetic.
Lewandowski prefers to stay in the box & wait for crosses/passes to come to him.
Van Persie drops deep to lauch attacks – Jovetic does the same.
Lewandowski scores all his goals from inside the area.
Van Persie has scored from outside the box on many, many occasions – Like Jovetic.
And even if you still don’t agree with me:
Robert Lewandowski has already agreed a deal to sign for Bayern Munich, so he’s out of the question & even if he hadn’t agreed that deal he wouldn’t want to sign for Arsenal, anyway…
Stevan Jovetic is the “Real deal” & in time would surpass Robin Van Persie’s overall contributions to Arsenal, trust me – Stevan Jovetic is worth it.
we ar win reading by wk
I like it
Players who wil transform arsenal comes august 2013.david villa,stevan jovetic,ashly williams,fernando amorebrieta, isco,en michael vorm
I will like arsenal 2 sign jovetic bcos he is the perfect replacement 4 r v p
i dnt care hw much arsenal ar going to pay fr a gud strika like jovetic all i nid is a gud an well experienced stricka an nt lyk giroud,arsenal hv to spend much 4 a player lyk jovetic coz he deserved it.
Arsenal sign him and maybe Nani ASAP
yea…..we need him
Wenger should go ahead & pay the £30 m needed & bring him to Emirates stadium
yes jovetic is a good player, i have seen him play.
They could have closed the deal by now as it was done with Podolsk if they are real serious rather than being linked .He a good finisher.
Yes,no time to waste.Wenger must bring him.
Wenger should desperatly pay the required amount to bring jevotic,isco and willians to the emirates
Wenger should go on an bring stefan, no matter d cost just bring him on is a gud player