Whilst Olivier Giroud did a banner job as Arsenal’s lone striker last season, there a number of limitations to the Frenchman’s game.
For a start, he doesn’t score as many goals as he probably ought to. Last season he found the back of the net 22 times in 51 games. That’s not a bad return, but shouldn’t a lone striker playing in front of the likes of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla be aiming for 25+ goals per season?
Maybe The Gunners were spoiled by players like Thierry Henry who scored 30+ goals per season on a fairly regular basis.
What’s more, Olivier Giroud is completely lacking in pace. Whilst he can hold the ball up well, he’s not one to turn and run at defenders. As a result, I’m not sure that he’s the perfect fit for Arsene Wenger’s system.
All this means that Arsene Wenger is likely to be on the hunt for a world-class centre-forward this summer. Someone who can both support Olivier Giroud and provide him with competition for his place in the first team.
This brings me to The Mirror‘s claim that one of Arsenal’s key summer transfer targets is FC Porto’s goal-scoring Colombian superstar, Jackson Martinez.
The 27-year-old certainly seems to have the goal-scoring nous that Olivier Giroud lacks. In his last two seasons at FC Porto he has scored 60 goals in 91 games. He truly is an unstoppable force in front of goal.
Whilst James Rodriguez has been stealing the limelight at international level, Jackson Martinez is now an integral part of the Colombian international team. He’s got 29 caps and has scored 10 goals.
In other words, he’s a player that’s well worth pursuing. Unfortunately, he won’t come cheap. The aforementioned source claims that FC Porto value Jackson Martinez at around £35m. Arsene Wenger, on the other hand, is looking to bring his price-tag down to £20m. Good luck with that!
Whilst Arsene Wenger is right to try and secure a bargain, I hope The Gunners dont end up missing out here. Jackson Martinez could prove to be exactly what the club needs to take things to the next level next season. If that means meeting FC Porto’s evaluation, then so be it.
What’s your take? Would Jackson Martinez improve Arsenal’s forward line?
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You didn’t state any of Jackson martinez’s abilities?? wasted my time, all you did was list what was wrong with Giroud.. how do the both compare to each other in each department? e.g pace, technical ability,heading,Dribbling blah blah blah.. poor show my man poor show.
Arsenal really need such a quality striker,and am sure jackson martinez should be our perfect choice and I don’t see anything stopping us from signing him,not even the prize he is exactly what we need and he worth not less than £30 million pounds,and its what we can afford I don’t see anything stopping wenger from signing him if not that he loves loosing.