Arsenal started the season extremely well (a 3-1 defeat by Aston Villas aside), clambering their way to the top of the Premier League table and holding pride of position for a couple of months. They also battled valiantly in Europe, seeing off the likes of Napoli and Borussia Dortmund and qualifying from a tough Champions League group.
But this is the part of the season where Arsenal traditionally begin to fall apart. Unfortunately, it seems they’re playing to type again this season. A 2-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich has them clinging on for dear life in Europe, whilst a needless 1-0 defeat to Stoke City has made their Premier League chances all the more unlikely. With Tottenham motoring up the table, I have some concerns about the club’s ability to claim a top four slot this season.
Needless to say, Arsenal are a team that could and should be improved during the summer transfer window. Indeed, I’d venture that had Arsene Wenger spent some money in the January transfer window, Arsenal could have made it through this tough period and found themselves in a significantly better position.
So who will Arsene look to bring in this summer? How about Real Sociedad’s highly regard winger, Antoine Griezmann? The Mirror claim that The Frenchman is high on Wenger’s wish-list and that the club could launch a £25m bid for services when the transfer window re-opens.
Here’s why this news should make you excited. This season Griezmann has scored 19 goals from 38 appearances, despite having played out on the wing. That’s sensational form, particularly given that another major Arsenal transfer target, Julian Draxler has scored just 5 goals in a less competitive league.
Whilst it’s unfair to directly compare two players in this fashion, there’s little doubting that Griezmann has all the talent necessary to make it at a club like Arsenal. The fact that he’s just 22-years-old is even more impressive. He could well develop into a very special talent indeed.
That’s why he comes with a large price-tag. By signing Mesut Ozil last summer, Arsene Wenger learned that talent doesn’t come cheap. Let’s hope that he takes this message to heart and loosens the purse-strings again during the next transfer window.
What’s your take? Should Arsenal make a move for this talented French youngster?
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