Arsenal Cannot Give Up On Aleksandr Kokorin Transfer

Arsenal probably need another striker and Aleksandr Kokorin would have been ideal. However, Arsenal have suddenly ended their pursuit of the Russian.

Arsenal had been in a rather subdued pursuit of Aleksandr Kokorin for quite some time. The Russian was trying to stretch his legs outside of his home country and as is always the case, Arsene Wenger is always ready for another project. At the incredibly cut price of £4.3m, it seemed like a no-contest. No one else wanted him and that is chump change for a 24-year old striker.

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However, according to former Dinamo Moscow director Konstantin Sarsania:“I don’t know where Kokorin will continue his career. There was interest on the part of Arsenal, but now there is not,” (as quoted by Goal.com).

It sounds like a situation of Arsenal or bust for the still-young Russian.

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Kokorin is in need of a rescue and given his promising track record, there is no reason to suddenly back off. He has a good enough international record and his production in the Russian league is nothing to ignore. He has notched 24 goals and ten assists in his last 68 appearances alone. Those are not break-the-bank numbers, but they deserve some attention. And for the reported asking price, there is very little to lose.

Arsene Wenger rather blatantly stated that he would rather wait for Danny Welbeck’s return. That is well and good but we must address the simple fact that Welbeck still cannot score consistently. He has missed all year with a knee bone bruise and it will take him some time getting back into the swing of things. From there, his goal scoring ability is still up for question.

Olivier Giroud is, in all likelihood, going to finish out the season as the sole striker on this Arsenal club. Danny Welbeck had a year to prove his worth and he was unable to. He is still a fantastic option out wide, but up front? Not so much.

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Kokorin is a true striker. He is an aerial threat and one that can learn a thing or two from Giroud. As mentioned by countless pundits out there, Arsenal do not need that big name striker. Giroud is that man. But they do need a reinforcement to ensure that in the worst case scenario, Arsenal have someone. Theo Walcott cannot be relied on and Welbeck cannot either.

Kokorin is no guarantee but at the very least, he is actually a striker that scores goals. He would keep the pressure on Giroud, and again, that is my beat-my-head-against-the-wall point. Giroud is substantially better when he is fighting for his spot. Who isn’t? But he does not have that as is.

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Why call off the dogs on Kokorin? Unless there was some medical or financial anomaly, he was a perfect option. He was cheap, young, rather uncontested and a goal-scorer. Now, he has nowhere to play.