Arsenal leaving the January window with no striker reinforcement has left plenty of supporters questioning the methods behind such a decision.
The club have allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave on a free transfer to Barcelona meaning that Arsenal have just Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah available as options for the rest of the season. Should one get injured and the chances of the top four will take a major hit, especially if a problem befalls the Frenchman.
Yet manager Mikel Arteta has seen his former mentor sign a young striking talent that should give him a regretful view of what could have been for the Gunners this winter had they opened their eyes to broader options.
Manchester City confirmed the signing of Julian Alvarez for £14 million from River Plate. 36 goals and 25 assists in 96 appearances for the 22-year-old alerted plenty of interest in the Argentinian.
Manchester City’s Director of Football Txiki Bergiristain explained the reason why they went for Alvarez.
“Julian is a player we have monitored for some time,” Begiristain said. “He is capable of operating in a number of attacking roles, and we firmly believe he's one of the best young attacking players in South America.
“I am so happy we have managed to bring him to Manchester City. I really believe we can provide him with the right conditions to fulfil his potential and become a top player.”
This is where Arsenal could have aimed their crosshairs in the market. Not specifically at Alvarez, competing with City would have been difficult. However, there are young strikers with good records in some niche areas that could have given them what they needed.
The obvious example is Arthur Cabral who joined Fiorentina from Basel in this very window for a meagre €16 million. 27 goals in 31 matches last year, an even better showing than Alvarez.
Physical, mobile and clinical. All characteristics that Arteta has wanted from his strikers and yet, instead the club failed to act.
Yes, the club needs to move for the biggest and best to reach the top. Yes, Man City have more scope with their overwhelming squad quality to give chances to a 22-year-old talent up top.
However, when the alternative was absolutely nobody, it is not farfetched to ask the question: Why if it is good enough for a Man City side without a recognised striker to go for a cheaper but talented option, is it not more than good enough for Arsenal?
The window has left fans with far more questions than this specific example but most of all it has seen a trail of discouragement contrasting almost perpendicularly to the end of the summer window.
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