Why Arsenal are right to swoop in for this £21.9m star:

Arsenal have enjoyed a particularly interesting season this year. They’ve been pretty dire in the cup competitions (apart from in The FA Cup) and they’ve been inconsistent in the Premier League. Still, they’re currently well placed to earn yet another top four finish this season.

As usual, they’re in the kind of position where signing two or three decent players could help them to challenge for silverware next year. Isn’t that typical? Arsenal seem to be perpetually playing catch-up.

One thing’s for sure, The Gunners won’t want to lose any of their key players. With that in mind, I’ve been disappointed to see Santi Cazorla pick up links to Atletico Madrid. With Arsenal struggling in the big games (despite the Spaniard’s best efforts), it wouldn’t surprise me if he fancied a move back home.

There’s no doubt that he’d represent a major loss for this Arsenal team. He’s the one man in the team who picks the ball up from defenders, charges forward and puts the ball into dangerous positions. Mesut Ozil is more of a sit and wait type player. He lacks Santi’s dynamism. With Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey a constant injury doubt, Arsene Wenger may have to bring somebody else in.

This brings me to The Metro‘s claim that Arsenal are lining up Hoffenheim midfielder, Roberto Firmino, as a potential replacement for Santi Cazorla. The source suggests that he’s going to cost Arsenal ‘at least £21.94m. Doesn’t that strike you as a suspiciously accurate figure?

The Brazilian ace has certainly been in good form this season. He’s already managed to find the back of the net 10 times and he’s chipped in with 7 assists as well. At 23-years-old, Firmino also happens to be seven years younger than Santi Cazorla.

If Arsenal were to sell Santi, his price-tag should be enough to cover a deal for Firmino. I’d be sad to see the Spaniard go, but this could prove to be a good deal for The Gunners overall. If they don’t snap the Brazilian up, somebody else will.

What’s your take? Would you trade Roberto Firmino for Santi Cazorla?

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