Football transfer is more often than not very expensive gambles taken by the managers; sometimes they work like in the case of Dimitri Payet or fail miserably like United signing Angel Di Maria. Football fans across the world were left in shock when they heard about Arsenal’s interest in the newly crowned champions Leicester City’s striker Jamie Vardy, whose rise to the top has been nothing short of magical. The English forward scored an astonishing 24 goals in a season which changed many perceptions about smaller teams. His excellent work ethic and energy gave world class defenders sleepless nights last season.
Having seen Leicester City’s success story and Atletico Madrid journey to the Champions League final, it is very much possible that Wenger is looking for a change of style for next season, which would best suit the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, another player who has captured Wenger’s attention. The Premier League champions know how important Vardy is to their plans for next season and will be doing everything to make sure the deal doesn’t go through but who knows if the right offer comes, the English forward might be tempted to move to the Emirates.
Vardy is drastically different to any Arsene Wenger signing. He is almost 30 years of age and his fees is substantially higher than what usually the manager is willing to part for a player his age. However with 12 years without a trophy, Wenger might be forced into giving up his norms and doing something extra ordinary in order to enjoy a successful campaign again. One thing which seems to be helping Jamie Vardy’s case his excellent fitness which saw him miss only two matches last season.
One of the biggest worries for Arsene Wenger right now is the lack of goals from his team. One more transfer window without a top class striker might just tip the fans over the edge, who have grown tired of Giroud’s inconsistency. The Frenchman was Arsenal’s highest scorer last season with 16 goals but the next striker behind Giroud in the goals chart is Danny Welback who scored 4 goals. Therefore it is clear Wenger needs someone who can guarantee 20 goals per season and Vardy fits the bill perfectly. Vardy has scored goals and won trophies wherever he’s been, and his ruthless mentality would be an incredible asset to an Arsenal side lacking in killer instinct, and truly lacking in a top level goalscorer to elevate the team.
Although Leicester did indeed often sit back allowing the opposition to have much of the ball and then hitting on the break, they were also capable of incisive interchanges which Wenger’s sides are so well known for. If Vardy does join Arsenal, he will not be suffering from a lack of service to put the ball in the back of the net, given he has world class players like Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla behind him. Wenger has long been criticized for his unwillingness to spend big on a world class striker but with the Stadium built and a new TV deal signed, there is enough in the bank for him to spend big this summer and make sure Arsenal fans don’t miss on the Premier League trophy again.