Pain in the Arsenal
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Is Fernando Llorente Really What Arsenal Need?

By Josh Sippie

Jul 31, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Everton defender Phil Jagielka (6) kicks the ball away from Juventus forward Fernando Llorente Torres (14) during the first half at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Everton defender Phil Jagielka (6) kicks the ball away from Juventus forward Fernando Llorente Torres (14) during the first half at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the rumored pursuit of a striker continues, Arsenal are down to two names, both on opposite ends of the price range: Fernando Llorente of Juventus for 8 million or Karim Benzema for 35+ million. Alexandre Lacazette has essentially fallen off the radar and Arsenal may well have convinced themselves not to sign him following their destruction of Lyon, where Lacazette could do little to help his French side mount anything.

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Karim Benzema is on the receiving end of another, increased bid from Arsenal, so we will just wait and see there. However, with Theo Walcott continuing to shine as a striker and nearing a new deal, the likelihood of Karim Benzema coming to Arsenal is dwindling.

Fernando Llorente is perhaps the frontrunner. The Juventus man has found his opportunities limited as of late, as Juventus have been reasserting their glorious history with signings galore. However, Arsenal appear ready to launch an 8.5 million pound bid, via the Telegraph. A Juventus source told the Sun, as reported by the Metro, that Arsenal were indeed interested and Juve were ready to ‘listen.’

So assuming that this source knows what they’re talking about, what would Fernando Llorente bring to Arsenal?

Llorente would bring a really hulking physical presence to the front lines. At 6’5″ Fernando Llorente stands even taller than our aerial master Olivier Giroud. That really is something. But can Llorente provide a challenge for Giroud’s first team spot? Not quite.

Outside of his aerial presence, Fernando Llorente does not contribute much. He does not play the hold up play that Giroud has mastered and he does not have a good long shot. He is one thing, an aerial master, and that is indeed something.

However, given the fact that Arsenal already have the top aerial target in the Premier League, I’m not sure why they would want to add a 30-year old, one trick pony. Essentially, he is everything that Gooners criticized Giroud for being just a couple years ago. Why would we submit ourselves to that kind of frustration?

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Llorente would provide a back-up should Olivier Giroud get injured, but if that is what we are looking for, why not go a little bigger on the prolific scale? Arsene Wenger is surely on the prowl for a better option, but it still feels like Llorente is a consolation prize.

Fernando Llorente made 25 appearances last season and managed seven goals and one assist. Not the best return. The year before he did scrounge together 16 goals and 5 assists in 29 appearances. Prior to that, his best year was at Athletic Bilbao in 2011/12 when he scored 17 goals and 1 assist and put up an Olivier Giroud-like 68% pass completion rating (WhoScored.com).

So again, what I am saying is that Fernando Llorente is like a bigger, less effective Giroud. Aside from the cut price, I do not see the appeal.

Next: 3 Things we Learned from Emirates Cup Final

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