Much to Arsenal fan’s delight, Arsene Wenger finally caved and signed a striker on deadline day of the summer transfer window.
Prior to signing Danny Welbeck, Arsene Wenger was keen to insist that he had enough options. He would point to players like Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez and even Joel Campbell as evidence that he didn’t need any further options, despite Olivier Giroud having picked up a long-term injury.
Danny Welbeck looks like an excellent addition to the squad, but I’m still not sure that The Gunners are particularly spoiled for choice in this area. Yes, I’ve just rattled off a long list of players who could fill in, but all of them have issues.
For a start, none of them are out and out strikers. Players like Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski are more effective down the wings. Joel Campbell is too raw and inexperienced.
Then there’s Olivier Giroud himself. Even when he’s back from injury and fully recovered, is he going to be good enough for Arsenal moving forward? I’m not sure that The Frenchman has the firepower necessary to help The Gunners to win more silverware.
It’s not like there aren’t good options out there.
Take, for instance, long-term Arsenal target Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The Schalke 04 ace has been in fine scoring form for the majority of his career. I’d argue that it’s about time that he got a move to the Premier League.
As luck would happen, Huntelaar only has a year left on his Schalke contract. The Express claim that his club is trying to tie him down to a long-term deal, but there’s still a good chance that he’ll be available as a free transfer this summer.
Alternatively, his club may look to cash-in on Huntelaar this January, whilst they can still receive a fee for his sale.
Having scored 92 times in 140 appearances for Schalke, he’s certainly an option worth considering. At 31-years-old, he’s not exactly a long-term option, but he could fill in as Danny Welbeck continues to develop and find his best form.
With that in mind, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar could prove to be an astute signing, especially if Wenger can get Schalke to sell for a bargain fee.
What’s your take? Should Arsenal be interested in signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar?
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THis is not a good move. It reminds me of the move to bring Kallstrom in. The Swede played well in limited action, but he never really came into the team or got a chance to demonstrate his quality. Huntelaar looks like a similar signing. He’s older, accomplished both at the club and international level, and he’s never played at a top club. There is no doubt that he’d be worth having, but he’d be making a mistake and he wouldn’t play enough to make an impact.
Remember, Arsenal will have Giroud and Welbeck come January, the earliest possible time Huntelaar could come in. Giroud is a work horse who plays and play and plays. Welbeck looks like a similar player in that respect. He works tirelessly and with his skill at the wing, he and Grioud could play together as strikers, in either a 4,2,2,1,1 or a 4,4,2 set up. Alternatively, Welbeck could play wide on the left, a place Arsenal desperately need quality, when Giroud is up top.
Huntelaar is capable of playing up top for Arsenal, but he’s the right man at the wrong time. For his own sake he should pass. Compare this scenario with United’s pursuit of Mats Hummels. Hummels was intelligent enough to know he is a valued and vital part of Dortmund’s team while at Man U, he’d be just another cog in the machine. He stayed in Germany and Huntelaar should do the same.