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Robert Lewandowski not the ‘Secret Striker’ Arsenal Need

By Josh Sippie

Jul 31, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski (9) controls the ball against Chivas Guadalajara defender Patricio Araujo (5) during the first half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Jul 31, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski (9) controls the ball against Chivas Guadalajara defender Patricio Araujo (5) during the first half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
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After telling the world that Arsene Wenger could sign any player in said world, Lord Harris opened up the door for limitless transfer rumors. However, seeing as how the world already knew that Arsene Wenger could do what Arsene Wenger wanted, it should not be too terribly surprising.

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But just because Wenger can buy anyone he wants does not mean that he will buy anyone he wants. What is this, Manchester United?

Harris revealed that there was a center forward on Arsenal’s “to sign” list but he would not reveal the name. However, he revealed that it was someone whose team would have to let up and be open to selling him. Obviously it immediately became apparent that that striker was Karim Benzema.

Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of Benzema, but if it can not happen, there is nothing we can do about it. Instead, various sources have keyed off on Spanish journalist Kike Martin’s tweet that Arsenal have a super secret striker on reserve, and that super secret striker is no longer super secret:

Robert Lewandowski in an Arsenal kit? Scratch that, Robert Lewandowski in an Arsenal kit for 45 million pounds? Call me a skeptic.

Do not get me wrong, Lewandowski is a fantastic striker, one of the best in the world, hence the price tag. But while Karim Benzema’s plausibility makes total sense, given the cut price and the skill set, the plausibility of the Polish hit man does not. Let’s compare the stats of Benzema, Robert Lewandowski and our own Frenchman, Olivier Giroud (stats via Squawka on a per 90 minute basis):

[table id=59 /]

As you can see, Lewandowski offers just about the same services as Olivier Giroud, whereas Benzema offers a completely different set. He is a creator and an excellent team-playing striker.

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I am not against this transfer so much as I am hesitant to buy into it. Arsene Wenger has shown no signs that he would settle for a consolation prize that is 15 million pounds more than the prize he wants, especially when that consolation prize is like an upgraded Olivier Giroud, something that Arsenal do not need.

The only thing that hints that Wenger could make this signing is the signing of Petr Cech. Arsenal were not desperate for an upgrade at keeper, yet he went and spent money on the Czech international and upgraded a position that did not necessarily need an immediate fix, especially given Wenger’s policy of letting youngsters have a chance to prove they can do it before signing a replacement.

The same can happen at striker. If Chuba Akpom, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott prove inadequate, it is completely feasible that Arsene Wenger will go buy outside help, but knowing his transfer policy, it would have to be the perfect solution to the problem (Karim Benzema) and not just anyone else, even if that someone else is a masterclass striker (Robert Lewandowski).

More power to Wenger if he does break Arsenal’s transfer record on this Polish guy, it just does not seem that believable.

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