Arsenal Should Nab Ezequiel Lavezzi In Spite Of Alex Iwobi’s Rise

By Josh Sippie | Oct 23, 2015

Sep 8, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi (22) controls the ball in the second half against Mexico at AT&T Stadium. Argentina played Mexico to a 2-2 tie. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Something about PSG is incredibly appealing to Arsenal. Check that, apparently everything about PSG is incredibly appealing to Arsenal. At least that is what the rumors would have us believe. But why not? PSG is one of the best teams in the world of football. They went toe-to-toe with Real Madrid. Wanting a piece of that pie is understandable. But this time, Arsenal are shooting for a smaller piece in Ezequiel Lavezzi.

The Argentine winger is now 30 years old and his contract runs up at the end of the year. As such, the price that Arsene Wenger would have to pay to bring him to Arsenal would be relatively below his worth, which according to Transfermarkt, is £8.6 million. Again, for the talent that would be acquired, that is a fantastic purchase.

In his past 235 career appearances, Lavezzi has netted 53 times and assisted 37 times. For a winger, his 79% pass completion is well above average (stats via WhoScored.com).

Numbers are not the endgame when it comes to purchasing a new player, however. Lavezzi also looks like a shorter, stouter Jimmy Fallon. But even beyond that, he has a tremendous amount of experience. That is something that will benefit Arsenal immensely in any sort of competition.

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Lavezzi has the style of play that has become synonymous with Arsenal. The man works incredibly hard on and off the ball and he has the pace to be a potent weapon on the counter attack. Arsenal could use a bit of depth in all of those departments, as that is what their game is based off of.

Not only that, but Lavezzi is a natural winger and as a byproduct, he is a superb crosser. Whereas Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have skeptical crossing abilities at times, Lavezzi is an expert. That would make the Argentine an invaluable resource when Giroud is on the pitch. All he would have to do is deliver a workable ball to Giroud’s forehead. Next stop: Goal.

With Alexis Sanchez running on fumes – already – depth is absolutely necessary. Alex Iwobi is a potential solution and in the long run, he will be the solution. But right now Arsenal could use a a player where they know what they’re getting. Iwobi has tremendous potential but as young as he is, he still figures to be a bit erratic. Not Lavezzi. Lavezzi is a proven commodity.

Which leads to the final point. Lavezzi is 30 years old. That gives him another two to three years of relevance before he starts to decline into the background. That gives Alex Iwobi plenty of time to mature and grow with the team before he assumes a first-team role.

It is usually Arsene Wenger’s preference to stick with in-house solutions in light of external options. But sometimes exceptions have to be made. Even with Santi Cazorla on the squad, Wenger bought Mesut Ozil. Even with Giroud, Wenger bought Welbeck.

Nothing is lost if Lavezzi is gained. Arsenal do not have another left wing option. Not a soul. This has to be amended if they are going to remain relevant in four different competitions.

Next: 10 Worst Signings Under Arsene Wenger

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