Arsenal Simone Zaza Transfer Has No Drawbacks

Arsenal could find a viable striker solution in out-of-favor Juventus striker Simone Zaza if they can pull the transfer off this January.

Arsenal may or may not need help at striker. It depends on who you ask. Olivier Giroud is a fantastic striker, but behind him there is only the enigmatic duo of Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck. Some see those two as viable striking options. Some don’t. Both can be used at striker, but Theo Walcott is proving more useful on the wing and Danny Welbeck is hurt and can’t score when healthy.

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As such, a bit of reinforcement certainly would not hurt. Especially considering that Olivier Giroud is at his best when he has someone to compete with.

A similar situation emerged at defensive midfield. Francis Coquelin is a fantastic option and behind him there is Flamini, Arteta and Chambers. With their powers combined, they count as about one and a half midfielders with upside. But are they viable options? Not so much. Therefore Wenger went out and reportedly nabbed a cheap but viable option in Mohamed Elneny.

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Simone Zaza can be Arsenal’s striker version of Mohamed Elneny.

What we know about Zaza is convincing enough to merit serious consideration. For starters, he is cheap. While no price has been set, Transfermarkt has him valued under £10m. That is a very good price for someone who’s only detraction is his lack of game time.

Simone Zaza has scored five goals in ten appearances, with six of those appearances being as a sub. He has played just 368 minutes this year, putting his goals per 90 clip well over 1.00 (via WhoScored.com).

Again, the only problem Zaza has is that he has a plethora of talents ahead of him. Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata are all strikers for the Turin outfit and it will be nearly impossible for Zaza to pierce that trio of talent, young and old.

Zaza has to move on. His price will not be much. It looks perfect for Arsenal because again, he is not going to replace Olivier Giroud. He is not going to waltz into Arsenal feeling entitled to a starting role. Zaza is going to come in ready to learn and ready to earn his place. Juventus have not allowed him the chance to earn a spot but Arsenal can provide that. Aside from Olivier Giroud, they do not have another strict striker.

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Zaza has the size to make it in the Premier League and at just 24 years of age, there is plenty of time to let him develop into the Arsenal system. For the price, the proven skills and the future benefit, this is a transfer that has almost no drawbacks.