Is David Villa to Arsenal a good match?
It’s been a busy month for Arsenal, who have already unloaded players like Marouane Chamakh and Johan Djourou on loans in hopes of clearing some space in their finances. All of these moves are paving the way for a big move as, like usual, manager Arsene Wenger appears to have something up his sleeve.
Although there are still several star-caliber names available to fill the Gunners’ open striker position, the word around the pitch is that Wenger has his eye on Barcelona’s David Villa as a potential transfer window acquisition.
While some are skeptical about whether or not the 31-year-old striker would be worth the estimated $16 million that Arsenal would have to fork up to get him, it’s hard to imagine that Villa would do anything but elevate the team to a level that they haven’t been at for quite some time. He may be coming off of a broken leg and hasn’t been a key cog in Barcelona’s attack, but Villa is still a world-class player who strikes fear into opposing defenses with his brilliant technique, scoring prowess and agility when the ball is in his possession.
Adding Villa might be a risky move for Wenger and his Gunners, but it’s a risk worth taking. The veteran can bring so much to their offensive attack if he can play to his full potential, and that’s something that Arsenal would be ignorant to pass on. It’s better to have taken the risk and spent millions on a falling star than to have never tried.
With that in mind, here’s a look at five reasons why Arsenal should sign Villa whenever he becomes available.
He’s a Prolific Scorer
Yes, Villa’s production has seen a significant decrease over the past two years. That, however, can be attributed to health issues. Villa suffered a broken leg last season, which brought his year to a disappointing end and kept him from putting his phenomenal scoring skills on display. When he is at the top of his game, Villa brings a whole new dimension to an attack. He has the ability to play at the top of the formation or out on the wings, which makes him a versatile striker. There’s plenty of questions looming about how he’ll bounce back and be able to adjust, but there’s no denying that Villa can be an efficient scorer for the Gunners if given the opportunity.
He Needs a Change of Scenery
It’s clear that Villa is becoming a secondary player for Barcelona, which is definitely not the role that a player of his talent should be stuck in. If Arsenal were to bring him in whenever Barca is willing to part ways with the striker, it would be terrific opportunity for Villa to resurrect his career with a new club and a different supporting cast. If there’s anyone that’s going to make the most of what Villa has to offer on the soccer field, it’s Wenger. Villa needs to regain form, and Arsenal is the perfect place for him to do exactly that.
He Fits into Arsenal’s Lineup
The Gunners want to let Theo Walcott make the move to forward that he so desperately desires, which would open up the striker position. That’s where Villa fits in, and he fits like a glove. Villa is a versatile player who has the ability to play anywhere across the formation, which would allow the Gunners to have Walcott, him and Olivier Giroud on the field at the same time. This versatility would make the Arsenal attack that much more deadly, which would force opponents to invest more time and effort in their defense. By adding Villa to the lineup, Arsenal immediately possess the offensive power that they haven’t seen in quite some time.
Arsenal Has the Money to Obtain Him
According to reports, it’s going to cost Arsenal a pretty penny to buy Villa away from Barcelona. But, as we always see during the transfer window, Wenger has no problem convincing the team to drop big money to land the stars that he wants. The Gunners’ manager is deeply involved in the financial issues with the team, and will likely pull whatever strings necessary to get Villa on his roster. As long as Wenger wants Villa, he’ll find a way to get him out of Barcelona regardless of the cost. The only problem in that situation is when Barcelona will be willing to part with the veteran striker.
High Risk, High Reward
Arsenal has never been shy about taking risks, especially when it comes to the transfer window. They’ve missed on a few buys, including Chamakh, but typically manage to avoid the short end of the stick on big-money acquisitions. Despite Villa’s age and recent health issues, he still has the potential to be a huge difference-maker for Arsenal. On top of everything else, big-name buys like Villa fill seats, sell merchandise, and get fans excited. The Gunners need a revival after stumbling the last two years. It’s time for Arsenal to go big or go home; one of the best ways to take that leap is by bringing in Villa and letting him do what he does best.
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