Arsenal: Is There Life After Vardy?

Jamie Vardy is set to turn down Arsenal’s contract offer in favor of staying with Leicester City. Is there life for the Gunners after such rejection and where can they find such life?

As a huge fan of Jamie Vardy and what the party could bring to the table at the Emirates, I am disappointed to hear news that he is likely to turn down Arsenal’s contract offer. Arsene Wenger was clearly a fan of the player due to such a determined pursuit, but ultimately, he will not get his wish this Summer.

This leads me to ask, is it all doom and gloom with Arsenal or is there life in their search for a striker just yet? And if there is life, in what form will it take and where does it come from?

It looks as though the Vardy move is dead, but Arsenal do have other options alive, and some of them are rather tantalizing options at that.

Perhaps the most exciting prospect is Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Auabameyang. The Gabon international is one of the hottest properties in Europe right now and with a tremendous goal scoring is deserving of his £50 million price tag.

While Vardy was considered a quality player with a terrific knack for rippling the back of the net, most would see Aubameyang as a step above the Foxes forward. While both possess truly terrifying pace, Aubameyang has a better touch, is far superior with his back to goal and has the ability to bring others into play.

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Vardy, on the other hand, is a pure goalscorer, but in terms of overall play, although he offers a threat in behind, he does not bring much else to the table. It would, nonetheless, be a huge shock to see Wenger invest in Aubameyang.

While Arsenal’s manager has been willing to spend big in recent Summers, bringing in a player like Aubameyang would be very un-Wenger like. While it would be nice to see him at the Emirates next year, it would be a huge surprise.

Another deal that perhaps has more legs than that of Aubameyang is Juventus forward Alvaro Morata. Morata has been heavily linked with a move away from Turin, and Arsenal are one of the major suitors of the Spanish international, that is if Real Madrid choose not to activate a buy-back release clause.

However, I am much less positive about a proposed deal for Morata than Aubameyang. Unlike the Borussia forward, Morata does not possess the explosive pace to threaten in behind, and while he does have superior size and strength, he does not have the link up quality of Olivier Giroud, Arsenal’s current starting striker. It seems illogical to bring in someone who is a similar player, but not as good at the same jobs, as the options that are already available.

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Ultimately, Arsenal’s deal for Vardy looks as though it is dead in the water. However, there is still life in Arsenal’s search for a striker. Whether it is life full of exuberance or exasperation however, depends on who Wenger focuses his attention on next.

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