%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Mario Gotze and Angel Di Maria Should be Nowhere Near Arsenal’s Wish List
By Josh Sippie
A lot goes into making the perfect signing and as we have seen from Arsene Wenger in the past, just about everything has to go right.
Alexis was perfect. He was an out of favor star looking for a bigger role on a team that allowed him to be himself and create. Gabriel Paulista was an up and coming defender who strongly resembled Laurent Koscielny and came at a reasonable price. Mesut Ozil was falling out of favor despite being one of the best creative midfielders in the league. His passing is second to none and Arsenal needed to replace Cesc Fabregas at long last.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
All near-perfect signings.
Another thing about those players that made them good signings is their character. Alexis has some of the greatest work ethic in the world, he hugs fans that are being led away by cops and he is just an all around great guy. Paulista’s work ethic is similar and he has zero character flaws. Mesut Ozil displayed fantastic character and team spirit (for lack of a better word) all season.
Now, lets consider the two men in question, starting with Mario Gotze.
Gotze is a fantastic player. He is a world-class midfielder and he is only 23 years old. His speed is top notch, he can dribble, shoot, pass, he can do it all. But one thing that he displayed that really sinks his stock is how he approached his Borussia Dortmund exit.
After having been brought up in the Dortmund system, Gotze decided he wanted to move to their direct rival, Bayern Munich. To make matters worse, he decided he did not want to play for Dortmund anymore, so he ceased working/playing/improving until the move to Bayern was complete.
That type of character flaw is detestable. Robert Lewandowski completed the same move but he gave his all up until the last minute with Dortmund. While the Polish striker may not be loved by Dortmund anymore, he is not spat upon like Gotze.
That kind of situation reminds me of Samir Nasri and his glorious exit. No thanks.
Plus, he would cost 50 million pounds. Again, no thanks.
More from Arsenal Transfer Rumours
- Arsenal Transfers: Emile Smith Rowe could leave club before summer deadline
- Arsenal Transfers: Gabriel will not be leaving this summer
- Why Arsenal could sell Folarin Balogun to London rivals
- 5 defenders Arsenal could sign after Jurrien Timber injury
- Why was Kieran Tierney left out of Arsenal’s matchday squad?
Angel Di Maria is not so set in stone. He is a fantastic midfielder who many argue would have fit in brilliantly at Arsenal, but his 60 million pound price tag was enough to deter most… but not United.
Di Maria showed his true flopping colors when he flopped all around the pitch in Arsenal’s crucial match against the Red Devils at Old Trafford. I get that a lot of people flop and embellish, but that does not mean that we should condone it. Di Maria is one of the worst at it.
That being said, again, he is a tremendous talent and thanks to his let-down year with United, his price has fallen by around 20 million pounds. Still though, 40 million for Di Maria? No thanks. Although it is not quite as emphatic as Gotze’s no thanks. Di Maria could very well come into form this year, but his style of play may not ever mesh with the physicality of the Premier League. We will just have to wait and see.
Arsenal hold their players to a high standard, as well they should. Arsene Wenger has every right to hold out for the perfect transfer.
Next: Arteta's Contract Good or Bad?