There have been rumours linking Arsenal with AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca. It’s not the first time that Arsene Wenger’s side has been linked with a move for a striker as the transfer window approaches. However, probably for the first time, Arsenal do not really need to buy a new striker.
Although Wenger brought in Spanish striker Lucas Perez on the deadline day in the summer transfer window, the French boss has mainly used Alexis Sanchez in the central forward position. And Sanchez has thrived in the role.
Earlier in the weekend, Sanchez showed how he has made the position his own when he scored a hat-trick in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over West Ham United. Wenger has already made it clear that the Chilean is his first-choice striker, even when Olivier Giroud is available.
Carlos Bacca himself is a brilliant forward and boasts an impressive scoring record. He has averaged close to one goal in every other match in his career and even though he is 30 years old, he is a bargain buy at £20m.
Nonetheless, Bacca does not exactly fit into Arsenal’s current scheme of things. Sanchez is having one of the most productive seasons in his career in terms of goals scored. The 27-year-old is the forward who drops deep to build the play.
Bacca is more of a traditional striker, good in aerial duels and a clinical finisher inside the box. However, Wenger already has Giroud at his disposal for this role, who has already proved how effective a ‘plan-B’ he can be against defensive teams.
Then, there is the huge squad that Wenger has which includes numerous options in the front-line. £17m signing Perez has started only one league game so far and if Arsenal buys Bacca in January, it would only mean one thing – Perez was indeed a panic buy.
And then there is Danny Welbeck, of course. The English striker’s career has been plagued by injuries but he is good enough to play in any of the Premier League sides. He is nearing a return from injury and will be the fourth option up front. Even Alex Iwobi can play as a striker if required. When was the last time that Wenger had so many strikers to choose from?
Buying Bacca only makes sense if one of the strikers was to leave in the winter. And if anyone was to leave it would most probably be Giroud, who is reportedly unhappy at having to spend most of the matches on the bench. However, he has insisted that he was keen on fighting for his place at least until the end of the season rather than leave the club.
If Sanchez keeps up his scoring spree in December, if Giroud decides to stay back at the club and takes his chances, if Lucas Perez fulfils Wenger’s expectations of him, then who would need Bacca to solve the problems? Why do you need to buy new strikers when the answer lies within your squad, Mr Wenger?
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