Arsenal: Jamie Vardy Transfer A Shrewd Departure From The Norm

Jamie Vardy to Arsenal sounds a bit weird but it could be a crucial singing indeed. And what a change it is from the business Arsenal normally conduct.

Arsenal have entered “accelerated talks” to sign Leicester striker Jamie Vardy. While he may not be world class, he does symbolize a break from Arsenal’s normal transfer business.

Related Story: Arsenal's Full Season Player Ratings

I know, I know. The thought of Jamie Vardy in the red and white of Arsenal makes me a bit queezy as well.  He doesn’t exactly inspire the excitement that a player like Romelu Lukaku or Gonzalo Higuain would, and he’s an all around wanker of a person. However, I must admit that I don’t hate the move from a business standpoint.

Modern football is about two things predominantly: scoring goals and spending/making money. At the end of the day Arsenal and their fans need to remember that. For too long has Arsenal been viewed as the harmless also-rans, who lack the will to spend big and the mean streak necessary to win the league. This Vardy transfer addresses both of those preconceptions.

Firstly Jamie Vardy is a prick. You need a few pricks in your team to win the league, that’s just a fact. Look at Chelsea a few years ago. That championship squad was basically a parade of wankers running around a football pitch. Arsenal are a bit too nice. There’s no one on the squad who really gets under the opposition’s skin and at times you need that extra bit of menace to you.

Vardy also scores goals. At the end of the day that’s what Arsenal truly require. I believe that Arsene Wenger has a deep bond with Olivier Giroud, one that may border on the irrational. Le Prof clearly has the desire to stand by his countryman and to be fair, he shouldn’t be vilified for that.

16 goals in the Premier League is not a horrendous tally. Throughout the first half of last season Giroud carried the team in terms of goal scoring. His untimely scoring drought is what ultimately curtailed the Gunnes title tilt, but Giroud has shown that he is a capable contributor when he is in rhythm.

Vardy’s addition would help bolster the ranks. He is less of a replacement for Giroud and more of a running mate. Someone to shoulder the scoring yolk throughout the season and keep him fresh and on his toes.

However it can be said that a player like Higuain or Lukaku could certainly do the same thing, and that is of course correct. In the end, what distinguishes Vardy from those options is price.

Let’s take Lukaku for example. It is said that Everton want a fee in the region of £60 million for the powerful Belgian. When you consider age and potential that seems to be a relatively understandable price tag in today’s market. With a release clause of £20 million (not including add ons) Vardy symbolizes a much cheaper but potent alternative.

Arsenal need more than one striker to compete for the league next season. Upgrades can be useful all over the pitch. If Jamie Vardy and Ricardo Rodriguez both cost in the region of £45 million, Arsenal could look to further strengthen at center back and perhaps on the wings as well. A player like Henrikh Mkhitaryan begins to look far more affordable. I don’t know about you but I think I would take last season’s runner up to the golden boot winner, a young, world class left back and an immensely versatile attacking player over one Lukuaku any day.

Next: Determining Granit Xhaka's Midfield Mate

Arsene Wenger is pulling out all the stops. Vardy isn’t the type of player he would usually go for, but we’ve never really seen the Frenchman go for it this vehemently in the market before. If this Vardy signing allows Arsenal the means to strengthen all over the pitch then I’m all for it.