Why this £32m ace is the ideal January signing for Arsenal:

We’ve seen Arsenal get linked to a good number of strikers since Robin Van Persie left the club. The Dutchman was always going to leave a massive void. Arsene Wenger attempted to fill the gap by signing Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, but I’m not sure they’ve been fully up to the challenge.

Lukas Podolski, who’s currently working his way back from a long-term injury, often plays out on the left wing, rather than in his preferred centre-forward position. Olivier Giroud has done well this season, but he’s not your typical Arsenal striker by any means.

For a start, he has absolutely no pace. The likes of Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil love to play those fizzing balls in behind and Giroud is almost always incapable of getting onto it. Whilst his link-up play has improved significantly this season, he still has limited technical ability and is never going to beat his man through sheer trickery.

His saving grace is that he’s a good finisher and has a fearsome shot on him. But I’m not sure that this is enough for him to hold down a place as Arsenal’s number one striker for years to come.

I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see Arsene Wenger move in for a striker when the January transfer window re-opens.

This brings me to The Star‘s claim that Arsenal are interested in Atletico Madrid star, Diego Costa. It’s thought that Arsenal sent their chief scout, Steve Rowley to watch the Brazilian star strut his stuff in a recent game against Sant Andreu.

This news has me very excited indeed. Diego Costa, with all his flair, ability and skill is the exact kind of striker that Arsenal used to traffic in. He’s the kind of footballer that Arsene Wenger just seems to love and he’ll fit the Gunners’ system like a glove.

Of course, it won’t be easy to sign him. Having rejected some pretty strong Liverpool interest in the summer, Costa put pen to paper for a new Madrid deal. At the time he noted: “I thought that it was very important for me to continue growing in this club and to play here for many years.”

But the fact that he’s been even better this season (he’s scored 22 goals!) will mean that even more attention will be thrown on him in the transfer market.

Still, he’s thought to have a £32m release clause inserted into his contract. I just hope Arsenal are ready and willing to trigger it.

What’s your take? Can Arsenal really compete for Diego Costa? Is he loyal to Atletico Madrid or could he have his head turned?

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.