You could hardly blame Olivier Giroud if he was beginning to get a little worn out. Whilst there’s still a lot of action to come this season, the big shouldered Frenchman has already been right in the thick of things.
Whilst the likes of Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero have got by on pure ability, Olivier Giroud has had to work bloody hard this year. He throws himself into challenges, shoulder barges, runs all game long and battles for everything.
He’s been mighty effective too. When he’s not scoring goals, he’s linking up well with his midfielders and creating chances for others. The only problem for Arsenal is that there’s nobody who can step in and take his place should he need a rest.
This begs the question: what happens if he gets suspended? Or god forbid, picks up a long-term injury? What happens if he completely loses his form?
One thing is quite clear: Arsenal need to sign another striker during the January transfer window. Somebody who can pick up the slack. Somebody distinctly unlike Nicklas Bendtner.
So how about former AC Milan star, Alexandre Pato? During his time in Serie A the fleet-footed Brazilian earned a reputation as one of the best strikers in Europe.
But since his return back to Brazil to play for Corinthians, his career has stalled. Yes, he’s scored 10 goals in 16 starts since January, but he’s also put in a number of lacklustre performances. In fact, he’s only started in 3 of his club’s last 11 games.
Perhaps ‘The Duck’, just misses the intricacies and competitiveness of European football?
Either way, despite his current lack of form, he’ll still hold some appeal for the European elite. I’m sure this is particularly true for Arsenal, who could use a striker of his build.
Giroud is a fighter, whilst Pato is a slight, technically gifted forward who loves to evade defenders.
According to The Mirror, Arsenal have already had a £6.6m bid for Pato turned down by Corinthians. I’d certainly like to see Arsene Wenger move back in and register a slightly higher bid.
He’s the kind of player who would significantly improve this Arsenal side’s strength in depth. He’d add balance to the Gunners attack and he’d do so without breaking the bank.
That sounds like a winner to me.
What’s your take? Should the Gunners put in a bigger bid for Alexandre Pato?
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.
Does nt want to put 100 percent in, can do without players like that, might as well keep bentner
Rubbishhh….. Wen this guy has the coach’s cofidence and a team behind him, he has no equal….. He haseverything and the golden age of 24…. Wenger get Pato…. I promise U that this guy will be the next star forward for arsenal….. Pl he is the exact age of th squad that is to RULE this Laegue in the years to ccome….. Jack, ramsey,Giroud, ozil, walcott, gibbs, schzney, ox, gnarby,…. Amazing wat they will do in two years time…. I c champions league in the near future
70 mil for Suarez only signing I want to see
Crazy….. Liverpool will never sell to us…. And we will not spend that money on anyoine…. And even if we buy pato, and get the chance to sign suarez, Y not???? We can get pato for 12 mil euros…. Are u crazy, haven’t u watch this kid in an ac milan jersey b4 his injury. In anycase we can have him as our 3rd striker if it comes to that…. But PATO is the best option in January, speed, height, technical, young, CHEAP and most of alll loads of EXPERIENCE at the TOP flight!!!!
Are u for real £70m for suarez? Suarez is one of the best but I would neva support da idea of 70m for him! Wenger should just put in dat 10m required then we have Pato- he is a good strike, ppl talk too much “wat if he gets injured? He is injury prone”, same ppl forget RVP ws injury prone but united ddnt look back whn the bid 24m for an “injury prone” player
Thank you REMs u are the only one with sense…. Henry wasn’t being heavily criticised over italy b4 wenger went for him….. Wenger can make Pato GREATTTTT
think arsenal manager professor wenger should bid 7m for pato,also wenger need a calliber of player like ronadinho to come,world class player that other big clubs can be affraid of in the absence of stricker ronadinho can stric.issue of suarez let him just try but i will prefair costa instead suarez.
Pato can be this player…. Listen Pato at his best takes on 3 defenders…. Watch ac milan vs Barcelona…. A lot more matches would prove my word, but that’s the more popular 1 I remeber….. Pato can be GOLD! And he wud be among his ge group and a lot of players that kno how to com bakk from an injury….. SUPERB signing wenger, doit….