Arsenal: Lorenzo Insigne Would Be The Fix All Solution

Arsenal has been linked with Lorenzo Insigne for quite some time, but now more than ever the little Italian would be the fix-all solution for the Gunners.

It’s only natural that any sign of unrest with any striker in the known world will lead to links to Arsenal. That’s how life works. Well, surprise, Lorenzo Insigne’s newfound unrest at Napoli has lead to a rejuvenation in his link to Arsenal.

Insigne has only ever known Napoli, which made all previous links abroad illogical. He was a Neapolitan through and through and no one could touch that. Plus, given his massive breakout year for the Azzurri, a long-term career at his one and only club seemed inevitable and the links to Arsenal came to a screeching halt.

You know it’s serious when you’re a striker and you’re no longer linked to Arsenal.

However, Insigne is different when it comes to being a ‘striker’ because he isn’t necessarily a striker. At least not primarily. Which is what makes him the perfect solution for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. But first, the reason for this rejuvenation of rumors.

“In our last meeting, we didn’t like some of the answers that the club gave us. Lorenzo made a decision with his heart, but a player’s professional life doesn’t last forever, and when other clubs are willing to reward you financially, then you’ve got to get onto the market.”

More from Arsenal Transfer Rumours

These are the words of Insigne’s agent Fabio Andreotti. He had much more to say:

“With a heavy heart, I must say that there are clubs that are considering us. Napoli don’t want to let him go, but the contract they’re offering does not satisfy us, we have better offers.”

While he had not gone so far as to say anything drastic yet, the best was yet to come.

“Three among the richest clubs in Europe want Lorenzo, and [sporting director Cristiano] Giuntoli has known this for a long time,” he said.

“Napoli turned them down and we were happy about that, but then we didn’t like some of the things they told us. His heart is in Naples, but the professional understands now that his path with Napoli could come to an end, considering what his situation is like with the club.”

(Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) /

But then it got real and gave us a reason to pay attention:

“In the past, Lorenzo thought only about the good of Napoli, but if there isn’t an adequate project then we must ask them for permission to take our leave. Napoli have the final word, and they have every right to do what they like. But they must remember that players are not robots, but also men. Lorenzo is extremely unhappy about this, because he sees his future in Napoli.”

There’s never much reason to get excited until actual people in the actual negotiations mention actually leaving the club. Actually. But Andreotti made it perfectly clear that that is what they will pursue if Napoli does not meet the demands. And while there is still time to do work out the details and get the two parties agreeing, it does provide a window of opportunity for a club like Arsenal, who are literally desperate for another striking option that has qualities similar to what Insigne offers.

One solution that I saw as a rather appealing one for Arsenal was Jese of Real Madrid. That was simply because he was young, a proven finisher, and had the all-important versatility that Wenger has to have with his attackers (see Danny Welbeck, Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott). All of these strikers that started off as wingers turned into strikers but Wenger always had that fail safe to move them back out wide if the need arose.

BORDEAUX, FRANCE - JULY 02: Lorenzo Insigne reacts during the UEFA Euro 2016 quarter final match between Germany and Italy at Stade Matmut Atlantique on July 2, 2016 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

(Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

Lorenzo Insigne would produce that. 12 goals and ten assists for Napoli last year. All from a wide position. That has striker potential written all over it. Napoli played a style that was very conducive to Insigne’s personal style, as they gave him acres of room to navigate and it payed off.

Much like Santi Cazorla, Insigne’s low center of gravity (AKA, he’s short) allows him to maximize control of the ball. His possession numbers have improved and this past season, as an attacker, he was dispossessed less than once per game on average. That is a fantastic ability to have, needless to say, because he is more likely to complete a dribble than get dispossessed.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Plus, averaging three and a half shots per game and nearly two key passes per game, Insigne was a massive piece to both the creative and the finishing parts of the game. Higuain might have stole the show, but he would not have accomplished all that he did without Insigne.

Which is why Arsenal would be the perfect fit for the young man. With this new counter attacking style that Arsenal is capable of, Insigne can take the striker role that was meant for Walcott. The main differences between the two are that Insigne is more creative, sounder on the ball and a better finisher. And younger. And less injury prone. And Italian. The list is actually pretty long now that I think about it.

Even if him being a striker doesn’t work out, playing Insigne next to Giroud would mimic what he had at Napoli with Higuain and could breed similar offensive output.

Next: Arsenal's Top 10 Prospects

There is a long way to go in this developing story, but Andreotti’s statements give us something to stay tuned into.

Home/Arsenal Transfer Rumours