Whilst Arsenal have been far and away the Premier League’s best and most consistent team this season, they haven’t been without the occasional slip-up.
Their were occasions (I’m thinking specifically about the 3-1 defeat by Aston Villa, the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea in the League Cup and the recent 1-0 defeat by Manchester United), where the Gunners looked woefully short of options going forward.
It’s frustrating to see Arsenal have no one to turn to when they fail to break down these top teams. By now, the sight of Nicklas Bendtner warming up and coming off the bench has become Arsenal fan short-hand for, ‘well, I guess that’s it then’.
Olivier Giroud has come on leaps and bounds this season, but he’s still a rather limited player. Whilst he’s even better in the air, along the ground and technically this season, he’s never going to beat a defender for pace. He’s slow, sluggish and his first touch is often disappointing.
Given that Nicklas Bendtner has a similar level of mobility, I think it’s fair to say that Arsenal have no real Plan B. It’s now clear that Arsenal need to go out into the January transfer window and snap up a top quality striker. The club’s chances of securing silverware this season may depend on it.
Interestingly enough, The Mirror claim that Arsenal are readying a £15m offer for Chelsea striker, Demba Ba. That’s right, the same Demba Ba that the Gunners went after on deadline day, before Jose Mourinho pulled the plug on any potential deal.
Mourinho did so because he feared that Ba would transform Arsenal into title contenders. Given that they are currently two points clear at the top of the Premier League table, I’d say this fear was justified. But now that Arsenal are willing to offer £15m for Ba, who isn’t getting much of a look-in at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho may find it difficult to turn them down.
Whilst Ba isn’t exactly a sprightly young chap, he’s certainly quicker and more agile than Giroud and Bendtner. What’s more, he’s also a top striker in his own right. His time at Newcastle United and West Ham was marked by regular goal-scoring. I’m sure the same would be true were he given a proper opportunity at Chelsea.
Moving to Arsenal would give him an opportunity for regular football and a chance to re-build his career. I’m sure he’s as desperate to move to the Emirates as Arsenal fans are to see him do so.
What’s your take? Should the Gunners finally finalise a deal for Demba Ba?
Please follow @ThePerfectPass for more football related action!
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.