say yes
forum master baiter
Been reading some of **** Law's notes on our previous transfers, and this question occurred to me.
To set the scene, it's the summer of 2013. Arsenal have just finished 4th with 73 points in their first season without RvP, 1 point more than Sp**s on 72, and secured champions league football for another season. Our starting XI going into the summer was:
------------------ Szczesny ------------------
Sagna - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Gibbs
-------------- Arteta - Ramsey --------------
Walcott -------- Cazorla --------- Podolski
------------------ Giroud ------------------
The number one priority that summer was to find an upgrade for Giroud, who in a disappointing first campaign had struggled to fill RvP's boots, scoring just 11 league goals.
Arsenal famously targeted Luis Suarez for the role, and were also close to signing Gonzalo Higuain, but neither move transpired. In the end, Arsenal failed to sign a superstar striker; instead managing to pull off the signing of Mesut Özil on deadline day. A move for CF Demba Ba was also arranged, but Mourinho pulled the plug on that at the last moment, reportedly hesitant to strengthen a rival.
Assuming we could have signed Higuain with the Özil funds, based on what our team needed, and knowing what we know now, who would you have chosen to sign that transfer window? Both players have their flaws and generate strong views, so I'm interested in seeing the debate on this.
Note: Fwiw Law says it wasn't a choice. Higuain was our first choice target that summer (ahead of even Suarez) and we had agreed terms with the player, but were priced out of the move by Napoli, who were flush with Cavani money.
To set the scene, it's the summer of 2013. Arsenal have just finished 4th with 73 points in their first season without RvP, 1 point more than Sp**s on 72, and secured champions league football for another season. Our starting XI going into the summer was:
------------------ Szczesny ------------------
Sagna - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Gibbs
-------------- Arteta - Ramsey --------------
Walcott -------- Cazorla --------- Podolski
------------------ Giroud ------------------
The number one priority that summer was to find an upgrade for Giroud, who in a disappointing first campaign had struggled to fill RvP's boots, scoring just 11 league goals.
Arsenal famously targeted Luis Suarez for the role, and were also close to signing Gonzalo Higuain, but neither move transpired. In the end, Arsenal failed to sign a superstar striker; instead managing to pull off the signing of Mesut Özil on deadline day. A move for CF Demba Ba was also arranged, but Mourinho pulled the plug on that at the last moment, reportedly hesitant to strengthen a rival.
Assuming we could have signed Higuain with the Özil funds, based on what our team needed, and knowing what we know now, who would you have chosen to sign that transfer window? Both players have their flaws and generate strong views, so I'm interested in seeing the debate on this.
Note: Fwiw Law says it wasn't a choice. Higuain was our first choice target that summer (ahead of even Suarez) and we had agreed terms with the player, but were priced out of the move by Napoli, who were flush with Cavani money.