Arsenal: Lorenzo Insigne Cannot Be Another Lukas Podolski

Arsenal are being linked with Lorenzo Insigne. The Napoli forward cannot be another Lukas Podolski and replace stars, but must rather compliment them.

Arsenal are in need of an attacking force. While Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are two world-class players, engineering chances and scoring goals with relentless precision and consistency, the other options in the squad to not match the same continual production throughout the year.

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Danny Welbeck suffers from injuries, Theo Walcott, while dangerous, is reliant on his confidence, and Alex Iwobi is too young to be expected to produce at a high level every game. Moreover, Olivier Giroud is an extremely streaky player and little is known about the staying power of Lucas Perez over a full season.

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Add to these issues that Sanchez and Ozil are entering the final year of their contracts, having delayed talks with the club on numerous occasions and may well look to force an exit in the summer, and it is clear to see that need that Arsenal have for an attacking talent.

The Gunners were in a similar position in the summer of 2012. With Robin Van Persie spearheading a dangerous side, the Dutchman entered the final year of his deal after a season in which he scored 30 goals, topping the Premier League scoring charts. There was hope that a new deal could be agreed which was only compounded by the announcement that Lukas Podolski was to join the North London club in the summer, with a deal having already been agreed.

Much of the debate within the fanbase and the media centred on whether Podolski was signed to compliment Van Persie or replace Van Persie. It was the latter. Podolski was a talented player with a vicious left foot, much like the man he replaced. But he never boasted the same ruthless scoring record as the flying Dutchman and ultimately succumbed to becoming a bit-part player later in his Arsenal career.

Now, with the shadow of a Sanchez departure looming, recent reports are linking Arsenal with a move for Lorenzo Insigne. The Napoli is a gifted individual. Blessed with great pace and acute balance, he often twists and turns, slithers and squirms his way into space. He has improved his final ball and has upped his scoring rate, rippling the net eight times and adding six assists in Serie A so far this season.

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Although he would undoubtedly be an astute signing, if, like Podolski, he is acquired as a replacement, then expectations will be met. But if lessons from history are learned, and the Italian is paired with Sanchez, then he could well have a very prosperous career in North London after all.