Arsenal Missed Out On Glorious Opportunity With Charlie Austin

Arsenal decided to watch as Charlie Austin finally left QPR behind for Southampton. Should the Gunners regret letting the goal-happy striker pass?

It was not all that long ago that Arsenal was linked to the services of 26-year old striker Charlie Austin. The goal-mad forward has made one thing his calling card – scoring goals. In 85 appearances for QPR, Austin netted 47 times across the Championship and the Premier League.

Related Story: 5 Reasons Isaac Hayden Should Not Be Sold

As such, when QPR was relegated, it only made sense that there would be links tying him to every team in England’s top flight. Arsenal was one such club. However, reports were scoffed at as Austin was deemed not Arsenal worthy and the rumors faded to dust.

With the January window over half way done, Austin finally completed his move away from QPR. Southampton have procured the services of the goal-hungry forward for just £4m and only time will tell if Arsenal missed out. However, given what Charlie Austin provides, initial reports would indicate that they have already missed out.

More from Arsenal Transfer Rumours

• Arsenal Transfers: Emile Smith Rowe could leave club before summer deadline
• Arsenal Transfers: Gabriel will not be leaving this summer
• Why Arsenal could sell Folarin Balogun to London rivals
• 5 defenders Arsenal could sign after Jurrien Timber injury
• Why was Kieran Tierney left out of Arsenal’s matchday squad?

Austin is a beast of a forward. Standing about the same girth and just under the height of Olivier Giroud, his game plan is simple: Find the goal and fire, with whatever resources necessary.

Arsenal have become accustomed to Olivier Giroud’s style of play. His hold up play and aerial dominance have helped propel the Gunners to all the recent success they have found. It is for that reason that Charlie Austin should have been a much more serious subject of Arsenal’s pursuits.

Austin has averaged 2.8 aerials won in his career, just a tick under Giroud‘s 3.3. While passing is not a forte of Charlie Austin, his key passes are never far below Giroud’s either. Plus, given his size and strength, he already has the most essential prerequisite to nail down the hold up style of play that Giroud has become so proficient at. 

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

Charlie Austin is only 26, right at the age that Arsenal’s ever-questionable striker duo of Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck sit. However, unlike Walcott and Welbeck, Austin has never had trouble scoring. It is the same logic I have nauseatingly overused to justify Arsenal’s need for a new striker. Wenger claims he wants to sit back and wait for Welbeck’s return, but the fact of the matter is that Welbeck has not established himself as a striker yet. So until he does, we have Olivier Giroud and Olivier Giroud alone.

There is nothing wrong with putting all our eggs in Giroud’s basket because he is one talented striker. But there always has to be a plan B. There was not for Coquelin and it cost Arsenal some vital points.

The major balking point with this whole Charlie Austin thing is that rumor has it he is fetching wages in the £100,000 range. That is a tad excessive and it would put him right at what Giroud is making. But again, that is all hearsay from the co-owner of West Ham laying out a hypothetical scenario. No one has confirmed what his wages are.

Next: 5 Reasons It Is Time For Alvaro Morata Transfer

Arsenal could seriously use another goal scoring option. But seeing as how it will not happen, we just have to keep praying that Olivier Giroud stays healthy.