Arsenal opinion: Arsenal shouldn’t sign Mauro Icardi

According to a report in the Daily Express, Arsenal have been linked with a move for Inter Milan misfit Mauro Icardi.

The Argentinian is a volatile character and comes with a lot of baggage but is a proven goalscorer in the Serie A with an impeccable record.

The 26-year-old was Inter’s captain but doesn’t seem to be in Antonio Conte’s plans. Last season he made 37 appearances in all competitions and scored 17 goals and provided 5 assists. Icardi is one of the top strikers in Europe. He’s a bit of a throwback as he’s more of a poacher than an all-round footballer.

He has fantastic off the ball movement and is a predator in the box. He shares a resemblance in the way he plays to Colombian legend Radamel Falcao and it’s not as common to find a player of his kind nowadays.

While there is no doubt that he is a fantastic player and would get into most sides in the world, he is a bit of a controversial figure and can be a distraction in the dressing room.

Arsenal don’t need a striker at this moment in time as they’ve already got Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Lacazette hasn’t quite hit the numbers that were maybe expected of him when we joined the club but he’s a very important player for Arsenal as he’s fantastic at holding up the ball, is very good and linking with his team mates and a very good converter of chances.

Aubameyang provides a different threat due to his movement and speed, often running past the blind spot of defenders within seconds. Icardi offers something similar from a central position but is more physically capable than someone like Aubameyang.

With Lacazette and Aubameyang in the side, Arsenal have the privilege of picking what the game needs at a particular moment and while Icardi could offer some aspects of what both offer, he would be surplus to requirements as it stands and it would be a painful endeavour to keep him happy on the bench.

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Conclusion

Unai Emery has a difficult job because Arsenal go into every season with very high expectations and the last thing he needs is someone like Icardi to disrupt the dressing room.

After signing Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal will be hoping they can get Champions League football in the coming season.