Kevin Whitcher
So Gonzalo Higuain has joined Napoli. It appears that a fee had been agreed between Arsenal and Real Madrid, then Madrid bumped it up before the deal was actually sealed, at which point one suspects Arsenal walked away, refusing to do business this way. Others have the view that Arsenal could have concluded the deal, but dilly-dallied because the manager discovered Luis Suarez wanted to move, switched his focus, allowing time for Napoli to enter the equation. Although I am not a fan of Arsene Wenger’s these days, I find the former a more likely scenario. The club had gone cold on Higuain because Real were messing them about. It is the same reason they will not deal with particular agents.
So, Suarez has become the main target. There is no doubt he is trouble, and there is no doubt it will end in tears if Arsenal did make the statement signing he would unquestionably be. The hope would be that in between splashing the cash and his acrimonious departure, there would be glory. There will be of course, be red cards, controversies and never a penalty awarded when he is actually fouled, but there would be goals and good times in the mix. It is not actually a gamble, because everyone knows the script. The real question is whether he can make Arsenal winners again in the time that he is dedicated to the cause. There is no excuse for his past misdemeanors, and there will be none for the inevitable future ones. The idea that Arsene Wenger might somehow tame the player is fantasy.
The answer to the question of whether the purchase of Suarez would turn the club back into a winning outfit (in terms of trophies) would depend on what else Arsenal are doing in the background that isn’t so public. Surely, something is going on. There is no argument that a centre back is required, as well as some kind of dominant midfield presence. I could accept that we might get away with the existing goalkeeping options if Szczesny stayed fit and became more consistent. There is certainly an argument that he needs challenging, but frankly, other positions are more critical if the keeper can retain the form shown since returning to the team last spring.
What Arsenal do not want to do is fail to conclude their business for much longer. Granted, Suarez would not be able to take part in the first six domestic matches, but waiting until August 31st to do that deal leaves the club with nowhere else to go if it does not materialize, which has to be likely with Real Madrid having dispensed with Higuain.
As for the other positions, the club have had all summer to secure two integral players. If they were not close to concluding deals for whoever they have (hopefully) been trying to sign, there are very serious questions to ask. The reality is that Arsenal have £100 million to spend on transfers and the first year’s wages of new buys. So they can afford £50 million for Suarez and pick up serious quality for at least two other positions. As it stands we have Yaya Sanogo. If Arsene Wenger cannot get it right in this window, with so much cash to splash, there really need to be questions at boardroom level asked about the wisdom of offering him another four years in the job.
Incidentally, we are running our own poll on whether you think the club should sign Suarez. You can vote on the main page – just scroll down.
