Arsenal Debate: Who is capable of replacing Van Persie?
If Van Persie leaves, who do we get to replace him? by KJ
So my previous article discussed what was happening in regards to RVP and his contract situation. However, regardless of what happens there, Wenger and co. have to be scouting strikers as the RVP saga is not a foregone solution by any means.
Let’s look at some of the must-be targets if Van Persie decides to leave:
Edinson Cavani: This is an extremely unlikely transfer. He will cost in excess of £35 million as well as having wages of about £120,000. However, we will be getting at least £20-£25 million from the sale of RVP and it’s not too farfetched to assume that we can muster up the remaining £10-£15 million from sales/CL money etc. It would be a massive sign of intent to sell RVP and to then get a striker who is younger and will most likely become even better than RVP given time. He is extremely strong in the air and is very mobile. He was a class act for Napoli this season both in the CL and in Serie A scoring 33 goals.
Radamel Falcao: Another world class striker who’s value and skills are very similar to his South American friend, Cavani. He is extremely strong both aerially and technically. He has decent pace and can score from any angle. He is the complete striker and arguably is better than Cavani. He has won the Europa league 2 seasons in a row now. He completely dominates that tournament. I understand that it is a weaker competition but it’s clear to see that he’s on a different level to most strikers.
Fernando Llorente: He in my opinion isn’t as strong as the previous two strikers. He is however a very serious player and will be difficult for any defence to handle. He is technically superior to most strikers his height and build. He was bought up with a similar philosophy to us; pass and move. He could easily fit into our system and would add a different dimension. We could see him costing about £10 million less than what Falcao and Cavani would fetch simply because he isn’t as good as them (and is slightly older).
This may seem like a silly article because we all know that Arsenal getting any one of these strikers is far beyond wishful thinking – but this is my example to you of who we would need in order to maintain the strength of the squad. It just shows how much I rate RVP, all 3 of these strikers have scored 30+ goals this season. They are only fit enough to replace RVP if he leaves.
Even then, they are very similar to what Giroud does. A big player with great technical ability. The Dutchman on the other hand is a bit smaller but technically better than all three strikers as well as being able to play in varied positions across the pitch.
I really hope we keep RVP this season; it will be near on impossible to find an appropriate replacement that we can afford. But if he DID leave, who would you go for?
Follow KJ on Twitter @Kashif_MED
To my opinion,if Arsenal willing to fork out money,they should sign someone with height and strength just like Mario Gomez or Ibrahimovic.They can really lead the attack!
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Given Arsene’s tendency to steer clear of Galacticos-sized transfer outlays, it is foolish to even dream that RvP – given our current budget – is replaceable with the acquisition of a single player. Instead, what is called for (assuming Wenger operates with a ‘lone’ frontman as has been his inclination for some time) is the purchase of two proven goalscorers to augment Olivier Giroux, who, more so than Podolski I believe, will be looking to take on much of the goal-scoring burden. I’ll not throw names about frivolously; Giles, et al know a player better than I do, but goals, unlike his genius, are replaceable. I see on the cards a shift of emphasis away from RvP’s talismans focal-point to an array of ever-developing (if sometimes injured) central midfielders. Jack Wilshere and Alex Song, having already proven their quality, will be looking to establish themselves as world-class talents in the next few years. Aaron Ramsey is a player whose future worth to the team is often forgotten; there’s a reason Wenger was in direct competition for the once-prodigal Welshman’s signature with SAF and given an injury-free season his talents cloud yet blossom just as Wilshere’s did two years back. Along with the excellent Arteta and a rejuvenated Rosicky, there is a wealth of quality in central midfield but a distinct lack of flair and creativity further up the pitch, ‘in behind’ said lone frontman. Podolski and Giroux may provide goals and each offer their own unique threat, giving extra strings to the boss’ proverbial bow, but they will not dictate play as Cesc once did; for me, it is this area in which Arsenal must strengthen. Watching RvP rip it up single-handedly last season was spectacular, rare and brilliant, but football is a team game, and – bar the creatively suspect Theo Walcott – a true playmaking partner for the lethal Dutchman was missing in the final third. Depth is a necessary requirement for a title challenge: having the undisputed player of the season in your team don’t win you shit. Arsenal’s squad (assuming rvp is no longer an Arsenal player and Theo, for the time being, is) requires a right-back, a central midfielder of the attacking persuasion, a right-sided attacking player/winger/midfielder/marauder to provide cover/competition for Walcott, and two strikers of whom as much is expected from as is of Giroux: goals and the ability to possibly adapt to a higher standard of league and spearhead a title challenge. It can be done.
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*talismanic focal-point*
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