Arsenal: Dries Mertens follows same failed blueprint

Mikel Arteta is looking to spruce up the Arsenal attack, but Dries Mertens isn’t the right way to go. We’ve been there, done that, and don’t like it.

The transfer rumors are coming in hard and fast following Mikel Arteta‘s ascension to the Arsenal throne, and with January mere days away, it makes sense. But what doesn’t make sense is why the Gunners would still be in on the services of Dries Mertens.

Here’s the thing, I love Mertens. Most people do. He’s a fantastic player. But he isn’t right for what the Gunners are trying to do here. Over the past couple years, their attempts at finding veteran “stop gaps” have failed. Miserably, in fact.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan? Failed. Sokratis? Failed. David Luis? Failed. Even Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is an overall failure. These were all guys meant to be the veteran presence on a budding team and they all failed.

Why would Dries Mertens be any different? Because he scores goals? So did Aubameyang. Because he’s ready for his next challenge? So was Mkhitaryan.

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Mertens will be 33-years-old by time we get him, which likely means a two-year deal, which means we’ll be replacing Aubameyang with someone every similar. A speed-driven goal scorer. Now granted, Mertens has a better work rate, and that’s well and good. But overall, the differences are so slim that I can’t fathom a way to make sense of it.

Kevin Volland makes sense. Versatility, sturdy, has some years in him. But Mertens doesn’t. Three years ago when we were first linked? Yes please. But not anymore. He’s passed his prime. There are other more worthy investments to build around, and that includes veteran investments.

Honestly, I’d rather take Volland and pad him with youth. Gabriel Martinelli is going to grow more as the season goes on and I wouldn’t count out Eddie Nketiah, horror loan and all. If you want to get a striker, get someone who’s still in his mid-to-late 20s. They don’t have to be superstars. It’s not like our current batch of superstars took us very far. We just need someone hearty, someone reliable, someone motivated.

Mertens is a great player, but I don’t know how long he would be able to lay claim to any of those three things.

Maybe I’m just soured by our veterans these days, but I don’t like anything about spending money on another past-his-prime star. We can do better. We deserve to do better.