Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is the striker that Arsenal need

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10Dec

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is the striker that Arsenal need

by Abhinav

Arsène Wenger has been a fan of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for a long time now, with the manager having tried to sign him in the past. And with the pressing need for a striker in the January transfer window, the 29-year-old Dutchman has once again been linked with Arsenal.

Huntelaar’s contract expires in the summer and it is believed that German side Schalke don’t want to lose him on a free transfer and are ready to sell him for a cut-price £6m. With the Holland international pretty much in his prime and given his experience and potential price, this is a deal Wenger should take with open hands.

Arsenal already have Olivier Giroud and while the Frenchman has proven he’s no flop, it is still his debut season and he has yet to get to grips with the English game so will not have an influence every game as can be seen from his last goal, coming nearly a month ago in the 5-2 win over Spurs.

Along with this, Theo Walcott’s unsorted future, Marouane Chamakh’s decline, Gervinho’s faltering upfront and Wenger’s reluctance to use Lukas Podolski upfront, a proper centre forward is required and Huntelaar fits the bill. Proven European pedigree, experience and not to mention 58 goals in his last 68 competitive games for club. He’s in the form of his life.

The signing of Huntelaar would provide Wenger some excellent rotation options upfront as he can choose his striker depending on the opposition, much like how José Mourinho utilises Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain at Real Madrid as well as give an occasional rest to either striker.

Huntelaar’s eye for goal as well as brilliant movement (see 1:21) would help Arsenal immensely as he’s a born poacher and his movement would provide the cutting edge as it was clearly lacking in Arsenal’s recent 0-2 home defeat to Swansea where the midfield retained possession to no effect due to the lack of movement upfront.

Some Arsenal fans would naturally be against the signing of Huntelaar as he’s not a very likeable player given his personal and on the pitch rivalry with former captain Robin van Persie who they’ll feel is a better player. Huntelaar is an inferior player, however, he is a better attacker than Van Persie and there’s a reason why Louis van Gaal said: “In the penalty area, he’s in the best player in the world.”

With not many top forwards available in January, the signing of Huntelaar – for cheap – would be a coup and it seems he would be open to a move as well, given how he was smiling and not completely ruling out a move to Arsenal (see 0:57) when asked about ex-striker, Erik Meyer’s (who has the same agent) comments saying, “According to the information I have, Huntelaar will be gone in the winter. Arsenal are the favourites.”

Besides, when Giroud isn’t playing, would you rather prefer Huntelaar upfront or Gervinho, Arsenal fans?

Posted by Arsenal fan Abhinav Kini

Follow Life’s a Pitch on Twitter @AbhinavAFC

Comments

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http://twitter.com/radalias Ally Shaw

If Arsenal were having problems finishing off chances, Huntelaar would be the solution. But that’s not the problem; on the contrary, they have a striker in Giroud who struggles to take part in the creative process, looking awkward when he comes deeper than the offside line. Huntelaar would do nothing to change this.

They need a forward who can help create chances as well as finish them off. Ideally one who can rotate in the wide positions too, as otherwise you end up with a Drogba/Torres incompatibility issue with Giroud.
http://twitter.com/AbhinavAFC Abhinav

I think the lack of movement upfront (clearly seen in the Swansea game) is the reason for lack of chances. When Arsenal do create, they barely finish off the chances and so a clinical striker would help immensely.
Abdul

I would not complain if we sign KJH, but I prefer someone more mobile and can link up well with our MF and Wide players. Giroud is trying to do exactly that, but he is slow and his thinking is also bit slow, maybe the latter will improve after games.
That someone is R*P, we don’t want him, How abt BENZEMA??? Not relistic?? Somone like that, who is that?? that’s the job of Arsenal Scout and Arsene.
JB

the issue upfront against Swansea was Gervinho playing up top for a majority of the game, he does not suit that role and when Giroud was finally brought on there was such a negative atmosphere around the Emirates no one wanted to risk making a mistake. There is a lack of quality options in the center forward role at Arsenal (at least options Wenger is will to use)

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