Arsenal: Clinton N'Jie Bid Curiously Thoughtful

Arsenal reportedly submitted a bit for Tottenham’s young Cameroonian, Clinton N’Jie, who is only a year removed from Lyon. Where is all of this going?

Arsene Wenger will trod down every dark, damp alleyway in the world hoping to find gold. Rather than just buying that gold, he is going to make sure every plot of land in the free world has been excavated, in case he finds enough gold in the ground to equal the gold he would have bought. The Arsenal boss has outdone himself in his bid for Clinton N’Jie.

That’s right, In Wenger’s search for a not-over-priced striker, he reportedly saw fit to bid for Cameroonian striker (and Tottenham darkhorse) Clinton N’Jie. Spurs loaded up on N’Jie last year from everyone’s favorite French market place, Lyon, but the 2014 nominee for CAF most promising talent only appeared in 800 minutes of Premier League action, being mired behind Harry Kane.

With Spurs now the proud owners of Vincent Janssen, N’Jie is no doubt on the outs, at least for now, but does he really have anything to offer Arsenal?

Against my better judgment, I’m going to say that of all the ridiculous things we’ve heard, this isn’t the worst. Disappearing in the ranks of Tottenham shouldn’t be seen as a drawback, but an opportunity. Consider it like a Danny Welbeck opportunity, just with less money and a moderate amount of risk involved.

Here’s the thing with Clinton N’Jie, he was/is pretty much the third string to the striker Arsenal should be after, Alexandre Lacazette. However, Wenger doesn’t want to drop a wad on the Frenchman or drop a somewhat smaller wad on the Frenchman’s backup, Nabil Fekir, so the next best thing is to look at the third in line, which, although he left the club, is Clinton N’Jie.

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The Cameroonian is only 22, but in terms of track record, he has a lot to offer. In his breakout season with Lyon as a striker/winger, he scored seven goals and added another seven assists in just 1500 minutes of play. He has scored another six in 15 career appearances for Cameroon.

Is it the gangbuster deal that will win Arsenal the Prem? Doubtful. But he was a piece of the Lyon offense that Wenger is apparently such a big fan of.

Given that he wouldn’t cost much, he’d have the versatility to shift out wide if need be and the fact that he is that pacey forward option Arsenal is be craving, I can think of far worse options.

Please do not take this as me saying “N’Jie is our solution to the striker conundrum”. I am merely speculating that of all the bizarre transfers that Arsene Wenger has completed/attempted in his time, this would not be among the worst and it actually has some significant upside.

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However, the bid was turned down and he looks set to join Marseille. So much for that rumor. At least we can rest assured that, not only is Wenger still in the striker market, but he is most certainly wearing his thinking cap as well.

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Arsenal: Clinton N’Jie Bid Curiously Thoughtful

By Josh Sippie | Jul 22, 2016

Arsenal reportedly submitted a bit for Tottenham’s young Cameroonian, Clinton N’Jie, who is only a year removed from Lyon. Where is all of this going?

More from Pain in the Arsenal