Having lost top spot in the Champions League group with just minutes to spare, Arsenal knew that they were in for a tough team to play in the knockout phase. And having got the hardest team in the play-offs, Chelsea in the Capital One cup, Tottenham in the FA cup and, of course, the group of death in the Champions League, did we really expect anything other than Bayern Munich for the second year running. I think that if UEFA could have managed it, they would have drawn Arsenal against two teams and made us play in blindfolds.
But it it what it is, and it has raised once again the topic of Arsenal’s striking options. I am one of the ever dwindling group of Arsenal fans that actually like Olivier Giroud, but I still think that Wenger simply has to sign another striker in January. And given the choice, most of us would love it to be Luis Suarez. We know that Arsene Wenger thinks the same, having tried to sign him in the summer, but Liverpool held firm and that seemed to be that.
And the fact that Liverpool are doing well in the Premier League and looking good for a top four finish makes it even less likely that they will sell their star man in January. But when you hear the Arsenal boss heaping praise on Suarez, it makes you wonder if the Frenchman has still got designs on the Uruguayan front man.
Wenger said, “He has a strong, provocative personality. From the information I gathered on him it appears that on a day-to-day level he is really easy to work with.
“Also that he’s respectful, he loves training, he’s an angel. He turns into a demon when he’s on the pitch.
“We all dream about having players like that.”
Yes it seems unlikely, but what if Arsenal were to go back with a £50 million offer, or even more? From the prices paid in the summer for the likes of Cavani, Falcao, Bale and more, you would have to say that Suarez is worth it. And Arsenal now seem to have two ways of signing players, on a free or for an absolute fortune.
Liverpool didn’t want to sell Torres, but Chelsea’s £50 million made them think again. And we know that Suarez wanted to come, but now Liverpool are looking like qualifying for next year, that might have changed, although coming to Arsenal would guarantee him a place.
One thing is for sure, I would feel a lot better about facing Bayern and keeping up a title challenge if we had Suarez. Do you think Wenger should try again in January or is it just a waste of time?
