Gonzalo Higuain’s Arsenal Opportunity Expired Long Ago

There was a time when Gonzalo Higuain was supposed to be coming to Arsenal. He would have been welcomed and he would probably still be our No. 1 striker. That time was 2013. He chose Napoli instead. Arsenal moved on.

Apparently Higuain still has not. Or the rumors just have not. Rumors are re-re-re-emerging that Gonzalo Higuain is seeking a way out of Naples, with North London being the ideal landing place. However, in order for that to happen, Arsenal will have to meet the £68 million release clause in the Argentine’s contract.

Oh, you’re still reading?

In case you needed any further proof that this deal is not going to happen, consider the current state of Arsenal and where their current state will be, come the next transfer window.

Let’s look at Theo Walcott first. At the tail-end of last season, Arsene Wenger pointed out that it was finally Theo Walcott’s time to be a striker. He was 26 years old, which apparently is ‘prime time’ for wingers to become strikers.

The results were mixed at first. Walcott was scoring fairly frequently but aside from that, he really was not doing much. Walcott has always relied on his team mates to pick out his runs and if that does not happen, he loses his effectiveness.

Well, now it is happening and Walcott is morphing into an effective striker. Thierry Henry is of the same opinion, saying via SkySports: “I was saying that maybe they needed a striker in the summer to help out, but Theo Walcott has emerged as that striker.”

Then there is Olivier Giroud. After being booed off the pitch by French fans and being benched for Theo Walcott, Giroud appeared down for the count. His confidence issues would never be able to recover from that. It was a new situation for him to be in, as he pointed out on numerous occasions.

But the big Frenchman responded absolutely brilliantly. He bullied Everton into submission this past weekend. His hold up play was some of the best I have ever seen from anyone. There was no one on the pitch that could outmuscle him for a ball.

And before that, he broke the ice to give Arsenal the lead against Bayern Munich. Quite the resume.

Arsenal FC

Higuain and Giroud play a similar type game. Higuain uses his body to hold up play and lay it off to team mates to build attacks. As mentioned, Giroud does that too, but Giroud’s hold up play has become arguably the best in the game.

Higuain is a bit faster than Giroud, but is he £68 million faster? No.

One might also say that Higuain has a better long shot. History may agree with that statement, but do not for a minute discount Giroud’s long shot ability. He hit the crossbar on a beauty against Everton and has shown flashes of longshot brilliance in the past. The problem is that Giroud is rarely in situations to take long shots. He commands the goal box, where he belongs.

Not only all of that, but Danny Welbeck is returning in January too. He may still have to prove that he can be a striker, but he is certainly an option and that gives us three.

Gonzalo Higuain is a quality striker, but he would be just another name on the team. Could Arsenal use that? Sure, but could they use it for £68 million? No.

And finally, does Higuain even really want to leave Napoli? They are looking very strong in Serie A and making a superb resurgence after a disappointing campaign last year. They have always been one of the best teams in Italy and they are reasserting that claim this year. Why would he jump ship now? Granted, Arsenal are tied for top of the Premier League. But if he wants Champion’s League play, he already has it.

None of this rumor makes sense. Gonazlo Higuain at Arsenal will never be a thing.

Next: 10 Worst Signings Under Arsene Wenger

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